Heidelberg Theatre Arts: Theory, Practice, Performance, Life

Why study theatre arts?

Theatre is about being human. It's about the challenges, the problems and the conflicts we all face in our everyday lives. Its purpose is to open dialogues among the citizens of the world, define problems, offer solutions, give hope where the situation is hopeless and celebrate the drive to understand the world and our own existence. The theatre artist has the opportunity to reach people in all walks and stations of life and make a difference.

In the meantime, the theatre artist is learning practical skills - skills that will help to live life to the fullest, to work in whatever field the artist ultimately desires. The theatre artist learns to think critically, to speak informatively and persuasively and to use communication as a friend or as a weapon. The theatre artist learns to create visual and auditory images that evoke the powers of logos, pathos, ethos and mythos. The theatre artist has a wide variety of choices, and working in the professional theatre is only a beginning. Film and television are naturally other choices. Industrial trade shows are using skilled actors more and more, not to mention the talents of the technical theatre artist. Set, costume, light and sound designers have stepped out of the theatrical world into the world of rock and roll videos, fashion and interior design and consulting with political parties and candidates. Theatre is often an undergraduate major or minor for those entering the law, and the list of ex-actor politicians continues to grow.

Why study theatre arts at Heidelberg?

Experience, theory-based education, and a caring and expert faculty
Theatre is open to every student at Heidelberg, from your very first semester. Whether you wish to perform onstage or work backstage, there are ample opportunities to contribute and to learn. Shows are selected to optimize the number of roles for Heidelberg students and present varying challenges.

The course curriculum is carefully designed to provide students with the necessary history, theory and practice to start them on the path to a career in theatre. Other schools may focus on multiple levels of acting and directing courses that fill a student's schedule while neglecting the student's need to understand the craft in the liberal arts context. At Heidelberg, we encourage our students to explore the world around them and to think critically about where the theatre fits into their future and the future of the world. Many of our students go to graduate school in theatre or film. Some, like Dr. Rudy Roggenkamp, class of 1978 and current chair of the Speech and Theatre Department at Mount Union College, bring the Heidelberg Theatre experience to other schools. Many pursue the educational route and teach in high schools with theatre programs. And, of course, some of our graduates are working actors, directors, designers and technicians for theatres across the country. One CTA graduate found his way into the puppet workshop of the Jim Henson Company. Still others find lucrative careers in other fields where their theatere arts training helps them to succeed. A lot depends on the drive and desire of the individual student, but the fact is -- you can get there from here!

Heidelberg College Theatre is directed by Chris Tucci. John Spahr is the theatre's technical director, who also serves as the production manager and technical director for the Ritz Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Tiffin. This arrangement gives Heidelberg students the unique opportunity to work with professional touring shows and artists, see the latest in theatre and performing arts technology and make contacts in the professional arena that might serve them well after graduation. In addition, Heidelberg Theatre participates in the American College Theatre Festival, offering workshops, design and critical competitions and chances for educational scholarships.

Heidelberg College Theatre Arts is part of the Communication and Theatre Arts (CTA) Department, with offers majors in theatre, media and communication studies. As such, theatre students at Heidelberg are offered a wide and varied spectrum of communication courses and urged to participate in a variety of department activities, including radio, television and forensic competitions.

A New and Exciting Opportunity at Heidelberg: The B.A./B.S. in Theatre with an Emphasis in Musical Theatre

Musical theatre has always been the "bread and butter" of the theatre industry. Heidelberg's CTA Department, with the help of Heidelberg's top-notch music faculty and program, offers a degree program in Theatre with a Musical Theatre Emphasis. This program is open to students by audition only and provides those students interested in pursuing a graduate education in musical theatre, a career in directing high school theatre or even a possible career in professional musical theatre with the essential skills used in musical theatre productions. This is not a pre-professional program, and graduate work in fine arts is recommended for those seeking professional careers in musical theatre. For information about audition dates and requirements, contact the CTA Department.