Theatre Arts
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The programs offered by Humboldt’s Department of Theatre, Film & Dance are designed to encourage and validate independent, creative thinking, which allows students to evaluate and discuss their own works. Undergraduates receive a quality liberal arts education with a broad and diversified introduction to theatre, film and dance utilizing the opportunities offered by the academic combination of these three disciplines. The department’s philosophy is: to provide a solid foundation in the knowledge, skills and practice of the arts of theatre, film and dance; to integrate the curriculum of the three disciplines, finding the common ground among them; and to foreground social consciousness, cultural celebration and community alliances programmatically and through productions.
At the graduate level we offer an MA in Theatre Production which encompasses acting, directing, dramatic writing, costume and makeup design, scene and lighting design, technical direction, and theatre technology. The graduate student establishes his/her own specialized program in order to develop professional skills as well as the more traditional academic skills. For the MFA in Scenography, students declare a primary and at least one secondary area of emphasis in scenery, lighting and costume design, and technical direction. Course and project work include design and technical training with applications to theatre, film and dance. Students complete a minimum of four projects in at least two of the design/technical areas.
Production facilities utilized by the Department of Theater, Film & Dance include the mainstage proscenium John Van Duzer theatre, two experimental studio theatres and a thrust stage facility. The student production program in both film and theatre is very active. The mainbill program consists of five major productions with five to ten secondary productions. Cinema production revolves around Super 8mm and 16mm filmmaking and extends out from the campus to the many beautiful areas and locations found on the northern California coast. Dance and physical theatre study and performance present other significant opportunities for our students. The department is also home to the Humboldt Film Festival, the oldest student-run festival in the country.
A unique aspect of the department is its commitment to the presentation of previously unproduced works by living American artists. This occurs every third year on the mainbill program and yearly within the student production program.
The primary objectives of the department are to prepare students in the broad areas of theatre, film and dance; to develop their critical faculties and capacity for creative expression; and to provide the necessary background for further training.
Degrees Offered
MA, BA, Minor