OWU theatre students study and experience all aspects of theatre and dance. Performance, production, history, and theory are all part of a comprehensive, liberal arts approach to the art form.
Ohio Wesleyan's theatre program offers a wide range of options for beyond-the-classroom learning and opportunities to add minors or a second major in another field so you can create a program that fits your interests and career goals.
Students in the Theatre major are expected to be involved in a production each semester. In addition to classes and on-campus programs, majors are encouraged to take advantage of off-campus internships or study experiences during their junior year or first semester of their senior year. The OWU New York Arts Program provides excellent career-oriented experiences for those with acting, directing, design, production, or dance interests. Students focusing on theatre history or theory might consider opportunities in Europe.
OWU also offers a pathway to a teaching license in theatre education, which can be completed within four years on campus. To receive the state’s Multi-age License in Drama and Theatre, you will major in Theatre and minor in Education. During your senior year you will complete a senior project and a semester of student teaching. See all the theatre education requirements.
Undergraduate research is the foundation of The OWU Connection and theatre students synthesize studies by completing a signature project. These capstone activities allow students to apply what you've learned to where you're going after graduation. Think senior art show, vocal or dance recital, directed research project, apprenticeship, or internship related to the major, or focused service learning activity. All under the guidance of faculty and with University support.
All senior Theatre and Dance majors must complete a capstone experience for credit.
Within your first year on campus, you have the opportunity to get off campus with The OWU Connection. Whether it's Travel-Learning Courses or spending a semester in New York City, theatre majors can see what you can do with your major in the real world.
Doris Ottman '19 spent two weeks traveling around England to Shakespeare's various sites of performance with Dr. Zack Long.
At OWU, you connect the classroom and the real world. Build experiences and connections to future career fields with work in valuable internships and organizations.
A University-funded Theory-to-Practice Grant could fund your original research, internship, or creative project throughout the world.
Recently, OWU students have interned with the New York Shakespeare Festival, Broadway productions, the Strasburg Institute for acting, and award-winning off-Broadway company The New Group.
Kristen Krak ’15 used a Theory-to-Practice Grant to attend the National Theatre Institute summer intensive at the O’Neill in Waterford, CT for six weeks. She immersed herself in daily classes, rigorous collaborative creation, and workshops with award-winning professionals.
Maeve Nash ’16 I(right) completed student teaching in Columbus with drama educator Emily Foster Whittaker, OWU theatre education alumna. At OWU, Maeve performed major roles such as Portia in "The Merchant of Venice" and stage managed "Heartbreak House." She also spent a semester studying in Ireland.
This exciting complex houses three performance venues, plus a scene shop, costume shop, studios and classrooms. The stage areas are flexible and can accommodate different performances from an intimate Shakespeare production to a large scale musical.
We regularly bring professional artists to campus to participate in productions, or offer master classes with students: recent visitors include performance artist-activist Tim Miller (pictured), original comedy writers/performance Cody Rivers Show, choreographer Claire Porter, performance artist Robert Post, Sleep No More performer Erik Abbott-Main, and the Inlet Dance Company.
This popular student-led comedy improv group performs regularly on campus, as well as area colleges & festivals. They hold a technique workshop every fall to train and recruit new members.
Students and faculty earn membership in the national theatre honorary society by being involved in theatre/dance productions. The society sponsors trips to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada. Recently, members hosted a viewing of the Academy Awards complete with decorative masks, a photo area, and a giant screen above the stage.
Jason works as the Development Associate at the Tony Award-winning Cleveland Play House.
The fall 2016 production of "An Enemy of the People" had OWU student Josh Martin as protagonist Dr. Stockmann, Daniel Haygood as Peter Stockmann, his elder brother, and Sarah Gielink as Petra, Dr. Stockmann’s daughter.
Performance artist Robert Post works with Ohio Wesleyan students during his Theatre & Dance residency. The group created a sketch show that included a classroom in the Twilight Zone.
OWU presented "Royal Gambit" in 2018. The cast featured OWU students Daniel Haygood (center) as King Henry VIII, as well as his six wives portrayed by Rose Jonesco, Doris Ottman, Anna McReynolds, Emma Antal, Kacie Iuvara, and Nyjah Cephas.
In 2018, Ohio Wesleyan’s Departments of Music and Theatre & Dance performed the musical 'Cabaret.' With a mixture of pleasure and politics in 1930s Germany, the Tony-winning musical had two weekends of performances on campus.
In 2017, OWU theatre alumnus Dave Winnyk ’13 hosted “Dave Winnyk’s Real Good Sketch Co." and directed a political satire comedy show composed by current students in less than three hours. Former Babbling Bishop, Winnyk is involved with the iO Theater in Chicago.
