New Theater Major Puts Students at Center Stage

Lafayette’s new major in theater will allow students to apply rigorous academic inquiry to performance, production, theater practice, and dramatic literature.

Christopher Duru ’10 performs in College Theater's production of As You Like It.

The curriculum will emphasize collaboration among students and faculty mentoring, coupled with College Theater productions that focus on student-centered learning and artistic growth, says Michael O’Neill, associate professor of English and director of theater.

The new program is a large step toward fulfilling the goal in Lafayette’s strategic plan of strengthening core programs in the creative arts and making the arts an essential feature of the College. The addition means the College now offers 34 fields of study in which students can receive a Bachelor of Arts degree and nine fields of science and four in engineering in which students can receive a Bachelor of Science degree.

“Having a major in theater sends the message the that College is committed to the creative and performing arts and, as a result, may over time attract students who might not have looked at Lafayette in the past,” O’Neill says.

This year’s seniors will be the first to graduate with majors and minors in theater. Previously, drama/theater was offered as a concentration for English majors and a minor.

All majors will be required to take a capstone course with an emphasis on the individual student’s area of interest, such directing, acting, designing, or researching. The senior project will also allow theater faculty to assess the student’s education and preparation for the profession.

In recent years, students have directed, designed, and acted in productions of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Ghost Sonata, Oleanna, The Shape of Things, and Waiting for Godot.

Students also work with established guest artists in master classes and workshops; participate in theater internships; and spend a semester or summer studying at the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute, Atlantic Repertory Company, Williamstown Theater Festival, and Lafayette’s faculty-led program at Goldsmith’s College of the University of London.

Regardless of major, all Lafayette students are welcome to participate in College Theater productions. Lafayette holds open auditions for every production, and crew positions are also available to those students who want to work backstage and learn about the theater as a profession.

“We will continue our mission to keep College Theater open to all interested students, and both student-centered learning and faculty mentoring of students will continue to be the defining characteristics of our program. Our hope is that the new major will attract more students who can benefit from what we do–and do very well,” O’Neill says.