Studying Theatre at York College
If you love theatre and want to be part of a vital performance program where you will get chances, even as a freshman, to work on and off stage, then a theatre major at York College may be what you want. With a major in theatre you will learn how to write and analyze texts and documents, solve problems quickly and effectively, speak energetically and dramatically to audiences of all kinds and sizes, and contribute significantly to any group or team. A background in theatre will prepare you for careers in education, management, marketing, advertising, law, and public policy, as well as professional and graduate theatre programs. You will offer to prospective employers the valuable skills of creativity, imagination, independence of thought and action, patience, self-discipline, flexibility, initiative, teamwork, and dedication. Your energy, enthusiasm, strong work ethic, self-confidence, versatility, responsibility, and commitment will identify you as a well-rounded liberal arts graduate who can speak articulately, give confident presentations, and thrive under pressure. So even if a career in professional theatre turns out to be a dream, you will have prepared yourself to compete happily for a wide variety of opportunities. And you will have had a college experience full of fun, great friends, excitements, challenges, and satisfactions.
Facilities
Scheduled to open in April of 2008, the Collegiate Performing Arts Center will house the 740-seat York Collegiate Theatre, a black box theatre known as the Perko Playpen Theatre, scene shop, green room, costume shop, and breakout spaces.
The Players
The Players is York College's student theatre troupe, open to all students interested in the theatre. Each year, the Players, under the direction of Theatre Director James McGhee, mount an ambitious array of theatrical offerings, many of them directed by students. Players produce plays and occasionally musicals from classic and modern repertories for the education and appreciation of the college community. From set-design and construction, lighting, costume, and direction, students play a large role in the department’s theatre productions. Opportunities are many; all are welcome.
Players produces seven or eight shows a season, all but one or two directed by students. Experience as a stage manager is expected from those wishing to direct. Priority is given to theatre majors and minors, Secondary Ed English majors, and Elementary Ed majors, but anyone may apply.
Players is managed by a production team composed of Artistic Directors, Secretary, House Manager, Associates, and the Director of Theatre (a full-time member of the English and Humanities Department). Students are selected in the spring by the Director.
The duties of the Artistic Directors include working with the Director and student directors on the current season and selecting shows and directors for the fallowing year. Candidates should have a broad background in drama, be willing to read scripts under consideration, and have experience as actors and stage managers. Stagecraft (THE258) is a prerequisite and History of Theatre (THE354) is recommended.
The duties of the Secretary include notifying members of meetings and audition times and places, communicating with elementary school principles to schedule audiences for A Christmas Carol, working with directors and Sandra Diener, secretary of the English and Humanities department, to create posters, programs and publicity for each show.
The House Manager monitors box office phone to ensure that no show is overbooked, finds ushers for each show, and helps them prepare the house.
Associates participate on and off stage as needed, filling in for incapacitated team members, advising the Director of incipient problems, suggesting improvements, and preparing to assume one of the positions described above.
The duties of the Director include supervising the smooth functioning of each production, instructing and advising student directors, directing at least one show each season, ensuring efficiency and safety, and fostering a spirit of camaraderie, respect, and creativity.
