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THE THEATRE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

The Department of Theatre offers a well-rounded liberal arts approach in its curriculum, with courses covering all the basic areas of theatrical endeavor, including acting, directing, stagecraft, scene design, lighting, costuming, makeup, dramatic literature, theatre history, dramatic theory and criticism, and playwriting.

Production is at the very center of our award-winning theatre program. Each season UAA theatre produces four plays on its convertible thrust Mainstage, and many one act or full-length plays in the student directed second stage program.

The plays are cast at open auditions and more than 100 majors, non-majors, and members of the community are involved in our season each year.

A LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR

 "As the current Chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance I want to take a moment to welcome you to our department. I think you will find our program dynamic and stimulating, affording you many options for developing your talents as a performing artist. We are the major training center for Theatre & Dance in the state of Alaska, and our students populate almost every major performance venue in the state. 

We participate in major events such as the American College Theatre Festival, the Northwest Drama Conference, and the American College Dance Festival. Our students have been abroad, performing at the Moscow Art Theatre; in the U.S. at the Kennedy Center; and guest artists in Dance and Theatre are a regular event here at home.  We not only offer a BA in Theatre, we offer a BA in Theatre with a Dance Emphasis, as well as minors in Theatre, and Dance.

Our program is oriented toward production, and our students are exposed to all aspects of theatre including directing, acting, stage management, lighting, costume, and set design, history, criticism, and more. In the end, our students graduate with a very well rounded theatre generalist degree. Our alumni attend (or have attended) some of the finest graduate programs in the country including Yale, Florida State, DePaul, even Second City in Chicago. They can be seen in major motion pictures like Unbreakable, Air Force One, and Charlie’s Angels.  Many have gone on to start theatres of their own, or teach in area schools, and UAA’s Theatre faculty is first rate.

We welcome you as newcomers to our program, and hope you like the people, and the challenges. Should you have questions, do not hesitate to contact the department.  Someone will be more than willing to answer your questions."

Sincerely,
Tom Skore/Chair

PRODUCTIONS AT UAA

Production is at the very center of our award-winning theatre program. Each season UAA theatre produces plays on its convertible thrust Mainstage, and many one act or full-length plays in the student directed second stage program. The plays are cast at open auditions and more than 100 majors, non-majors, and members of the community are involved in our season each year.

Our 2008 - 2009 Season...

As You Like It, October 10 - October 26, 2008   

On the surface As You Like It seems like a simple story populated by delightfully eccentric characters who have nothing to do all day but expound on life while making merry in a pastoral setting. While there is an element of truth in that outlook it is far from the complete picture, for underneath the play’s winsome nature is some real wisdom on how to create a better world: be kind, be generous, be gracious, be fair, and above all, keep your wits about you! It is a formula for getting each of us through our own “seven ages of man” with grace, dignity, happiness, and health.

Godspell, November 21 - December 7, 2008   

In collaboration with UAA Music Professors Mari Hahn and Karen Strid-Chadwick, Fran Lautenberger will direct a new and exciting production of the Stephan Schwartz musical, Godspell.  Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, and featuring a sparkling score by Stephen Schwartz, Godspell is a groundbreaking and unique reflection on the life of Jesus, with a message of kindness, tolerance and love, with a string of well-loved songs, led by the international hit, “Day By Day.” A musical celebration for the entire family.

The Women Of..., February 13 - March 1, 2009   

2500 years ago Euripides criticized war and its effect on women in The Trojan Woman. David Edgecombe adapts this classic play by placing it in a modern context. Using testimonies and music, this performance explores the emotional consequences for those in combat. The Women of... is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of women on the home front and the human toll of war.

Fallen, April 3 - April 19, 2008

Eve. Jezebel. Delilah. Salome. Lot's Wife. Vashti. Harlots, liars, murderesses and rebels. Bad girls. Their stories of love, loss, curiosity and defiance told in the air and on the ground through a stunning combination of words, movement and aerial theatre. History isn't always written by the winners...

SPECIAL GUESTS

The Aerial Angels come to UAA Theatre & Dance! The UAA Department of Theatre & Dance hosted the "Aerial Angels" who presented an Aerial Theatre Workshop for our students. It was a wonderful event - look at these photos!

Meet A Few Of Our Gifted Faculty...

 Tom Skore, Chair

E-mail Tom Skore

Tom is a director, voice specialist, the department's primary acting teacher, and current department chair. He has taught at numerous institutions including Ohio University, Clarke College, Southwestern University, and Southern Oregon State University. Additionally, he has worked at major theatres such as the Seattle Repertory and Goodman Theatre. He is a member of Actor's Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (AFTRA), the Voice and Speech Trainer's Association (VASTA), and a certified practitioner of ALBA Emoting Technique.

Tom is a screenwriter with numerous options taken out on his works by major Los Angeles film studios and has written for the stage (The Dragon) and published a novel (The Resurrection Encounter). Of the many productions he has directed at UAA, four shows were selected to participate in ACTF Regional competition. He has worked on several Hollywood films, a national television commercial, and recently portrayed the role of John Adams in UAA's production of the musical 1776!. In addition to directing A Little Night Music as part of UAA's 2005-2006 season, he will also be performing the role of Thomas More in Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons.

 David Edgecombe, Professor, Director

E-mail David Edgecombe

Dr. Edgecombe holds a B.A. from California Western University, an M.A. from San Diego State University and a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Directing from Kent State University. He is past President of the Northwest Drama Conference. As Chair of the Department of Theatre at Marian College in Indianapolis, Dr. Edgecombe directed numerous musical and dramatic productions. He founded the Indiana Shakespeare Festival and directed sixteen of its main season productions. He also worked for the San Diego Junior Theatre and the California Shakespearean Festival.

At UAA, Dr. Edgecombe's productions of The Death of Von Richtofen as Witnessed from Earth, Somewhere in Between, and The Scarecrow won American College Theatre Festival Awards. His book, Actor Training During the Age of Shakespeare, has recently been published in second edition. His play Libby, which he wrote and directed, toured nationally and received critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Edgecombe has staged many plays which were showcased at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, including A Delicate Balance andThree Tall Women.

He has also directed many plays for Cyrano's Playhouse in Anchorage, including: The Three Sisters, Hamlet, andDinner with Friends. He recently directed A Midsummer Night's Dream which toured to under-served Alaskan communities and was funded by a National Endowment for the Arts grant. Dr. Edgecombe was honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for his contributions to the American College Theatre Festival and academic theatre.

Learn more about all of our wonderful FACULTY!

OUR MISSION...

To provide requisite theatre training for career oriented students looking to enter graduate school or certification programs, as well as those wishing to go directly into the professional theatre or associated disciplines. The department continually seeks ways to fulfill its role as a community resource in fostering an active appreciation for the arts.

CONTACT US!

University of Alaska Anchorage

Department of Theatre & Dance

3211 Providence Dr.

Anchorage, AK 99508

Tel. 907-786-1792

Fax 907-786-1799

And ON THE WEB!