Theatre News

CWU Theatre Arts Students Set the Stage for Success

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:51:29

More than 20 Central Washington University’s Theatre Arts students and graduates have found paid summer employment in regional and national theatre venues. The students, who range from sophomores to graduates, will tread the boards on the most prestigious stages in the Pacific Northwest, intern at Disney World, and even appear in the movies. The Theatre Arts Department, whose faculty are all working theatre professionals, places a premium on developing stage-savvy actors, directors, and technicians who can take advantage of the many opportunities in the field.

The following students are getting a head start on their professional careers:

Ballagan Theatre, Seattle
Michael Connolly, graduate, Les Miserable, from Ellensburg

Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Brandon Walker, senior, from Hoquiam

Seattle Children's Theatre
Carly Hutchison, choreography internship, senior, from West Seattle

Rain City Cinema, Seattle
Dustyn Moir, junior, has a role in an upcoming short film, MosaiXlogue from Hoquiam

Bellingham Theatre Guild
Joseph Sasnett, graduate, Sweeney Todd, from Ellensburg

Broadway Rose, Portland
Blake Cranston, sophomore, My Fair Lady, from Clackamas
Ryan Monaghan, senior

Virginia City Players, Virginia City, Montana
Brandon Peterson, junior, Fall City
David Connolly, graduate, from Ellensburg

Portland Area Theatre Alliance
Krista Chase, senior, year-long contract, Washougal

Leavenworth Summer Season
Trevor Williams, senior
Kaylene Jackson, sophomore, Everett
Jorie Jones, senior, Portland, Oregon
Nikki Delmarter, junior, Seattle
Nick Hyett-Schnell, sophomore, Renton
Megan Smith, junior, Ridgefield
Nick Tarabini , junior
Cherisse Martinelli, junior, Silverdale
Kylie Rose, junior, Kelso
Henry Van Leishout, junior
Natalie Copeland, junior, Seattle

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, CWU Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu

CWU actress honored at drama festival

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:11:21

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Central Washington University student Katelyn Schiller was recognized for distinguished achievement and nominated in the outstanding-performance-by an-actress category at one of the 45th Annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival’s regional festivals for her performance in “Icarus,” written by CWU professor Elise Forier-Edie.

CWU theater students attended the festival’s regional showcase at American River College in Sacramento, Calif., in February. Out of 217 productions from 64 colleges in the region, “Icarus” was one of five selected for the regional festival in California.

Award winners at the regional level will go on to the national festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., April 15-20.

Arts Graduates Are Generally Satisfied, Employed

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:52:34

June 19, 2012 -A survey being released today suggests that arts graduates -- counter to the stereotype -- are not all facing unemployment. The survey, the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project, includes graduates of arts colleges and of arts programs within broader universities. Among the findings:

87 percent of arts graduates who are currently employed are satisfied with the job in which they spend the majority of their work time.
Of those employed alumni, 82 percent are satisfied with their ability to be creative in their current work, whether working in the arts or in other fields.
Only 4 percent of respondents report being unemployed and looking for work – less than half the national rate of 8.9 percent.
84 percent of employed alumni agree that their current primary job reflects their personalities, interests and values, whether their work is in the arts or other fields.

Those with degrees in the performing arts and design are the most likely ever to be employed as professional artists, with 82 percent of dance, theater and music performance majors, and 81 percent of design majors working as professional artists at some point.

From: www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2012/06/19/arts-graduates-are-generally-satisfied-employed

Recent graduation/placement rates in CWU Theatre Arts reflect similar statistics. For example 87.5% of the musical theatre 2011 graduates were placed in theatre positions immediately after graduation.