Learn about... University of Alabama
Quick Facts
Established in 1871
The University of Arkansas campus includes 276 buildings on 357 acres.
The University offers more than 200 undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 150 fields of study in agricultural, food and life sciences, arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, architecture, and law.
Old Main, one of the oldest buildings in the state, is widely known as "the symbol of higher education in Arkansas." Old Main houses the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, its honors program, and five academic departments.
Senior Walk is the University's longest tradition not in years, but in miles. Starting with the first class of 1876, every graduate's name is etched into a concrete sidewalk that winds its way around campus for nearly three miles. More than 124,000 graduates are listed on Senior Walk.
Total Enrollment: 17,929. Undergraduate: 14,353. Graduate: 3,576.
Rankings
According to U.S. News and World Report's 2008 edition of America's Best Colleges,the U of A is in the Top Tier of institutions nationwide and ranked 24th among public undergraduate business schools.
We are one of the "Best 366 Colleges," as selected by The Princeton Review , based on a survey of thousands of college students polled nationwide.
The U of A ranked one of the top 300 institutions in the latest edition of The Fiske Guide to Colleges.
Housing
University Housing is committed to helping your successful transition to the U of A. We offer a wide range of programs and resources focused on issues you'll face as a college student. We'll challenge you to make informed, responsible decisions, become involved in the campus community, succeed academically, and enjoy the opportunity to encounter people and ideas new to you.
Living on campus allows you to step into your new role as a college student at the U of A with confidence, knowing you don't have to be concerned about where you are going to live and how you are going to manage your meals. The halls provide a comfortable environment as you begin to make a home for yourself in your campus community.
General Requirements
GPA 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale, ACT 20 or higher; SAT combined score of 930 (critical reading and math scores only), Must have completed or be in the process of completing the 16-unit preparatory core
Students who do not meet these requirements should apply anyway and may be admitted on the basis of individual review of their applications.
Recreation
The University of Arkansas Health, Physical Education, and Recreation building (HPER) was built in 1984. This $14 million dollar, 225,000 sq. ft. facility is the largest in the area.
The HPER houses 10 racquetball courts, 4 basketball gyms, an indoor track, an olympic size pool, climbing wall, men's and women's saunas, a computer lab, thousands of lockers, a human performance lab, and numerous classrooms. Free equipment check-out is also provided.
Study Abroad
We administer summer, semester and year long study abroad programs for UA students as well as exchanges between the UA & other Universities abroad.
Campus Visit
We encourage you to visit the scenic U of A campus before deciding to become a student.
Schedule your visit by phone (1-800-377-8632 or 479-575-5346)
Contact Us
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
479-575-2000
And Visit Us on the Web By CLICKING HERE!
Home > Tour the Colleges! > Arkansas > University of Arkansas
The Acting Program At...
University of Arkansas
Welcome to the Department of Drama at the University of Arkansas!
About the Department
Welcome to the University of Arkansas' program in theatre, a professional training program dedicated to carefully nurturing a select group of theatre artists.
We offer an expert faculty -- a group of gifted professionals, passionate about theatre and the art of teaching. And an extremely well-crafted program that's small enough to address students face-to-face, individual-to-individual, and large enough to offer a full range of learning opportunities.
Our students...
Are a revolving company of actors, directors, designers and playwrights from widely varied backgrounds with one thing in common: the desire to make great theatre.
Are determined to use their study of theatre to grow as individuals, and to use their individuality -- the process of exploring who they are -- to grow as theatre artists.
Are committed to self-discipline, hard work, and the spirit of discovery that is at the heart of theatre.
Go on to professional careers as designers, directors, actors, and writers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London, and in national tours and theatres including Lincoln Center, Circle in the Square, The Shakespeare Theatre, Steppenwolf, the Goodman, Seattle Rep, The Muny, St. Louis Rep, Alley Theatre, Actor's Theatre of Louisville, and the Connecticut, Colorado, Utah, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Georgia, Chicspeare and Oklahoma Shakespeare Festivals among many others.
Student Achievements
MFA Design Student Receives National Recognition
U of A Student Wins National Acting Award
Opportunities
The M.F.A. acting program totally transformed the way I approach acting. I was challenged, inspired, got lots of individual attention, and had the opportunity to try many new things in an environment that was collaborative, supportive, and encouraging.
Nadine Purvis Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Theatre
Seven Mainstage Productions
Challenging scripts, cutting-edge playwrights, new works, Shakespeare, period pieces, and musicals provide exposure to a wide variety of styles and authors. Mainstage directing and design opportunities are open to qualified students.
The Studio Series
MFA playwriting and directing projects, covering realism, non-realism, classical theatre, and original work augment mainstage offerings.
Not-A-Penny Productions
This student-run theatre produces up to eight shows a year in a variety of university and off-campus venues, featuring a season of the latest contemporary scripts, and Blank Pages, a showcase of new work by local writers.
New Play Development
Students participate in classes, readings, workshops, and productions of new playscripts, serving as hands-on collaborators in the development of new works and world premieres.
Theatre Studies in Britain
Students have the opportunity to travel to London for this four-week course. Outside of class, students view at least 15 professional theatre performances, tour theatres and historic theatre sites, and take master classes with actors, designers, directors, and critics from the English stage.
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
Our program participates actively in KCACTF conferences, entering productions, playscripts, and student designs for adjudication, and nominating actors to perform in the Irene Ryan national scholarship competition. In the past thirteen years, our students have won numerous awards, including a regional Director's Choice nomination and two Molly Risso Classical Acting awards.
In the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, we've had two national winners, seven national finalists, nine national alternates, and a national Best Partner. Our students have won national awards for playwriting, lighting design, and make-up design and had additional designs showcased at the national festival at the Kennedy Center. Students have also won numerous regional awards in playwriting, stage management, design, and acting.
USITT
The Design and Technology faculty have all been active members of USITT and have served on a number of panels at the national conference. Students have the opportunity to attend and present their work either at the "Cover the Walls" exhibit or the "Design Expo" and are encouraged to join this wonderful organization. Each year the conference is held in an exciting part of the the country.
Guest Artists
Master classes and production experience with professional theatre artists enhances the program's intensive curriculum. Recent guest artists include Robert Redford, Mary Louise Parker, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Francis Guinan (Steppenwolf), and workshops in automated lighting effects, sound design, Commedia, Le Coq, Alexander Technique, make-up, audition preparation with professional actors and directors from New York and Los Angeles, and Shakespeare performance with The Acting Company and the Aquila Theatre Company of London.
Travel to Auditions and Conferences
Each year we offer financial assistance to qualified students, enabling them to attend and participate in regional and national conferences and professional auditions.
Departmental Honors Program
Undergraduate students with a minimum grade point average of 3.25 may participate in special seminars and colloquia, upper division honors classes, and independent projects and research.
Spotlight On Student Accomplishments
BA Program
The Undergraduate Program offers a wealth of experience to theatre students.
Classes in acting, directing, scene design, stagecraft, musical theatre, dance, make-up, dramatic literature, costume design, theatre history, playwriting, lighting design, comedy improvisation, audition techniques, movement, stage management, stage speech, singing, scene painting, and specialized seminars lead to a thorough understanding of the theatre process.
Production experience, work with professional guest artists, and involvement in national festivals and conferences are natural extensions of the intensive learning done in the classroom. Hands-on experiences are plentiful, with opportunities to act, design, direct, and work behind the scenes.
We strongly encourage active involvement in all aspects of production and strive to provide a variety of opportunities which will prepare students both academically and professionally for a successful future in theatre.
Prospective Students
"I am extremely grateful for my time at the U of A. The department provides the individual attention a grad student needs – as well as ample production opportunities. I was very impressed with the variety the seasons offered. From Shakespeare to Nicky Silver, I found we were challenged by something new each semester." Jeremy Shouldis, Irene Ryan Competition, National Best Partner; Professional Actor, Los Angeles (The Office).
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate
In addition to meeting University and College requirements, the Department of Drama encourages a personal interview/audition for scholarship eligibility. Financial aid in the form of work-study and scholarships is available to qualified students.
Graduate
In addition to meeting University and Graduate School standards, the Department of Drama requires an audition/portfolio review/script submission and interview for acceptance into the MFA program (please see specific requirements below). Graduate assistantships in teaching and production provide tuition assistance and yearly stipends. Annual fellowships and work-study programs are also available to qualified students.
Meet A Few of Our Gifted Faculty
D. Andrew Gibbs
Professor, Chair
Lighting Design, Theatre Management
Phone: (479) 575-2953
Email: dagibbs@uark.edu
D. Andrew Gibbs is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Drama, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he has taught since 1978. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he serves as director of the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Lighting program and teaches courses in lighting design and technology, theatre architecture, theatre and stage management and scene design.
Professor Gibbs’ educational background includes a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Illinois, an MA in Drama/Design from the University of Washington and a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut. A primary research interest has been the planning and design of theatres and performing arts centers.
Amy Herzberg
Professor
Director of Performance Program, Acting, Musical Theatre
Phone: (479) 575-7391
Email: herzberg@uark.edu
Amy Herzberg is Head of Acting for the U of A's Drama Department. She has extensive professional credits as actor, director, and musical director, including La Jolla Playhouse (with Director Des MacAnuff), George Street Playhouse, and resident acting company member with San Diego Repertory Theatre.
Ms. Herzberg holds an MFA in Acting from California Institute of the Arts and a BA in Theatre from Arizona State University. Additional training includes work with Uta Hagen, Edith Skinner, Earle Gister, Ron Van Lieu, and at The Actors Center in New York and American Conservatory Theatre.
Michael Landman
Assistant Professor
Head of MFA Directing
Phone: (479) 575-8747
Email: mlandman@uark.edu
Michael Landman joined the Drama Department faculty as Head of the M.F.A. Directing Program in 2004. He is passionate about teaching, and believes in creating opportunities to empower students to reach their full artistic potential.
His professional directing includes numerous collaborations on new works in New York City, as well as directing and assistant directing at the Hamptons Shakespeare Festival, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Shakespeare Theatre. He was co-founder and Artistic Director of the Seven Ages Theatre Company in Austin. He directed and co-authored (with his father) the children’s play Jack and the Giant. With VOX Theatre Company in New York City, he was co-founder and director of The Audition Lab.
To learn more about our Faculty CLICK HERE
Facilities
Baum-Walker Auditorium: A state-of-the-art 1200 seat proscenium theatre, located in the new Walton Arts Center complex.
University Theatre: A 315 seat proscenium stage theatre, housing fully equipped scenery and costume construction facilities and flexible lighting, sound, and rigging systems.
Starr Theatre: A flexible black-box theatre, seating 150, with advanced computer lighting and sound systems, housed at the Walton Arts Center.
Nadine Baum Studio: A 200 seat black-box, and the resident space of TheatreSquared, this theatre housed the U of A 2007 New Play Festival.
Studio 404: A 75 seat black-box space which accommodates student directed projects, experimental productions, and new play workshops. (info on scene shop and costume shop facilities coming soon.)
Contact Us
619 Kimpel Hall
J. William Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701
ph: 479-575-2953
fax: 479-575-7602
drama@cavern.uark.edu
And Visit Us On The Web By CLICKING HERE!