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 The name change from Department to School not only highlights the
national reputation of Theatre and Dance at Millikin but also
asserts a new structure which will facilitate the continuing growth
of the School of Theatre and Dance as it expands in terms of
students, faculty, curriculum and degree programs. Millikin Provost
Dr. Jeffery Aper noted, "The new structure will encourage greater
collaboration from talented faculty connecting an increasingly wide
range of academic programs in theatre and dance and encompassing
student directed initiatives, entrepreneurial energies and new
programs such as Arts Technology."
"For our programs in Theatre and Dance, the transition from being a
'department' to being a 'school' serves as recognition of its
impressive development into a nationally acclaimed undergraduate
theatre training program," says Laura Ledford, dean of the College
of Fine Arts at Millikin University. "The School of Theatre and
Dance has always exemplified Millikin's approach to education,
Performance Learning. Our students learn by practicing their craft
at a high level throughout their training, with and for successful
practitioners including our faculty, staff, alums and theatre
professionals across the industry."
In conjunction with this name change, the College of Fine Arts has
named Mary Black director of the School of Theatre and Dance
effective August 2016.
Mary Black, associate professor of theatre, is a technical director
and designer with past credits including technical work at Indiana
University Theatre and Opera programs, Iowa Summer Repertory
Theatre, Brown County Playhouse and the University of Iowa Theatre
and Opera programs. She is actively involved in the United States
Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and has published and
presented at USITT national conferences. In 2009, she was awarded
the KM Fabrics Technical Production Award through USITT. She also
designs scenery and lighting, including credits at the Station
Theatre in Urbana, Ill., and the Decatur Parks District Best of
Summer Stock program for Decatur youth.
"I am excited and proud to have the opportunity to lead an
exceptional and committed faculty and staff in the School of Theatre
and Dance into the future," said Black. "Over the coming years, I
hope to see the new School of Theatre and Dance grow strategically,
diversify both our population and our curriculum, and build upon the
excellence in theatre and dance education for which we have become
known."
The School of Theatre and Dance will also welcome a new Center for
Theatre and Dance to campus in the coming years that will house an
enhanced, updated, well-equipped performance space and teaching
facility. The Center will allow Theatre and Dance faculty to more
effectively offer students the skills and experience they need to be
successful as theatre technicians, designers, managers and
producers. Millikin plans to build a new Center for Theatre and
Dance to house this signature Millikin program. More than $11.5
million has been raised for this effort, with a goal of raising over
$21 million.
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"It is an exciting time for Theatre and Dance. The reputation and quality of our
department has grown consistently over the last 15 years making Millikin's
theatre program a major player in the education of emerging artists," said Sean
Morrissey, artist in residence in the School of Theatre and Dance.
"Transitioning to a School of Theatre and Dance is the logical next step to
growing and moving our program into the future. It will help us with recruitment
and fundraising for the new Center for Theatre and Dance while better
positioning us in the national conversation on theatre education."
Laura Ledford noted, "In addition to its highly regarded performance training,
the School of Theatre and Dance offers excellent education and training in
theatrical design, technical production, stage management and theatre
administration. The 'school' model will allow us to bring more focus to the
depth and complexity of our work in these areas by recruiting more students and
enhancing the production values of the performance season."
New Faculty and Staff
New staff and faculty coming to Millikin will help the School of Theatre and
Dance grow in impact and number of students. The School of Theatre and Dance
welcomes Kevin Hoffmann, assistant professor, with expertise in acting; Allison
Moody, visiting assistant professor, with expertise in voice; Eric Mercer,
technical director; and Marc Black, master electrician and master carpenter.
Millikin Theatre and Dance produces numerous performances in venues on and
off-campus, including musicals, plays, operas, children's theatre and dance
concerts, as well as productions through its student-run theatre company, Pipe
Dreams Studio Theatre.
Millikin's School of Theatre and Dance is a nationally-recognized program,
offering conservatory style training rooted in a liberal arts education. The
School of Theatre and Dance's approach to education offers students valuable
insight and hands-on experiences that will prepare them for professional
success. Nationwide, Millikin's respected theatre alumni are routinely hired for
projects in television, film and live theatre, including top Broadway shows. For
more information, visit millikin.edu/theatre.
[Millikin University Media Relations]
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