Theatre Arts – News
Spring, 2024 – In an example of interdisciplinarity, students from Play Structure and Analysis and African American Literature visited Lincoln Center to watch the original Broadway production of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, starring Phylicia Rashad.
Spring, 2022 – Master Class with Tony Award Winner, Kelli O’Hara
On March 29th, 2022, Western Connecticut State University was honored to have Emmy, Grammy nominee and Tony Award Winner Kelli O’Hara offer a Master Class as part of our Transition Workshop for BFA Musical Theatre and BA Performance seniors. Thank you, Kelli!
Spring, 2021 – Department of Theatre Arts Wins Six BroadwayWorld 2021 Connecticut Awards!
Awards include:
Best Streaming Musical: The Radium Girls: A Jaw-Dropping New Musical
Best Performer in a Streaming Play: Chrystal Campbell, Dognap on Dekalb
Best Performer in a Streaming Musical: Alexis Reda, The Radium Girls: A Jaw-Dropping New Musical
Best Editing of a Streaming Musical: RJ Romeo, The Radium Girls: A Jaw-Dropping New Musical
Best Direction of a Streaming Musical: Tim Howard, The Radium Girls: A Jaw-Dropping New Musical
Check out the full list of winners here!
Spring, 2020 – Virtual Senior Showcase
Please join us in congratulating WCSU Department of Theatre’s graduating seniors. By clicking on the pictures above, you’ll be able to view our virtual Senior Showcase. This provided an opportunity to some of Broadway’s top agents and casting directors to see the talent and skill of our graduating seniors.
Directed by Tim Howard
Music Direction by Dr. Justin P. Cowan
Spring, 2020 – Zoom conversation with Choreographer and four-time Tony Award nominee, Randy Skinner.
A fabulous guest artist in Scott Wise’s virtual Tap Class this morning! The incredible four-time Tony Award winner, Randy Skinner!
Spring, 2020 – WCSU captures multiple KCACTF awards at regional event!
WCSU continues our winning streak, with individual students taking home 6 awards in Musical Theatre Excellence, Acting, Dramaturgy, Stage Management and Allied Crafts and Design. Click here to learn more!
Spring, 2020 – Sophomore Theatre Performance major Tina Vlamis featured in a Refinery29 article about new Tik Tok fame!
Tina Vlamis (left) has recently found fame on the social media platform Tik Tok with more than 20,000 followers and videos reaching over a million people. Tina was recently featured in Animal Farm directed by Tony Cochrane and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui directed by Pam McDaniel. To read the full article, click here!
Spring, 2019 – Master Class with Drama Desk Award Winner, Andréa Burns
Graduated BFA Musical Theatre and BA Performance seniors had the opportunity to work with Drama Desk Winner Andréa Burns in an exciting Master Class. Thanks Andréa, as always!
Fall, 2019 – National tour of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical: featuring WCSU Musical Theatre alum Jared Starkey!
Click here to learn more!
Fall, 2018 – Pop Rock Masterclass with Sheri Sanders, founder of Rock the Audition
The BFA Musical Theatre class was thrilled to welcome Pop/Rock Master Teacher Sheri Sanders to campus!
Spring, 2018 – NYC Senior Showcase
The graduating classes of the BFA Musical Theatre and BA Performance program performed in NYC this week for Casting Directors and Talent agents!
Pictured: The BFA Musical Theatre class with Musical Theatre Coordinator, Tim Howard
Fall, 2018 – Guest Speaker: Tony Award Winner, Cady Huffman
Dr. Donald Gagnon brought the amazingly talented Cady Huffman to campus to speak with his students in Into to Drama!
Fall, 2018 – Trip to NYC for private screening of Shuffle Along
Dr. Donald P. Gagnon (professor) and Theatre Arts students (Carter Smith, Ryan Rappaport, Francesca Saccomagno, Michelle Shapiro, Serena Kelly, and Kelsey Lepesko) in the Musical Theatre History course, Fall 2018, at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts for a private screening of Shuffle Along.
Spring, 2017 – WCSU Theatre Arts Students Present Research
WCSU Theatre majors presented their scholarly research at the Central Connecticut State University Undergraduate English Conference on October 5, at CCSU in New Britain. This is the first full group of theatre majors invited to the conference from WCSU.
“As a group, these students did work that is as fine–scholarly, clearly written, and maturely presented–as any group of students I’ve seen at the conference over the years. They exemplify the kind of academic excellence, as well as performing excellence, that we are pleased to claim in the WCSU theatre arts department,” said Dr. Donald Gagnon, professor and sponsor.
Spring, 2017 – 11 Kennedy Center Awards for WCSU’s The Drowsy Chaperone
The Drowsy Chaperone earned 11 national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), and an invitation for the director, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Tim Howard, and student Jillian Caillouette of Meriden, to attend the national 2017 KCACTF festival in Washington, D.C. Read all about it here!
Spring, 2017 – WCSU has earned accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre
The NAST Commission on Accreditation notification of the university’s acceptance for association membership, received in March 2017, marked the successful completion of a process that began with the WCSU submission of its accreditation application in Fall 2014. Read more…
Spring, 2016 – WCSU Theatre Arts awarded highest honors at Kennedy Center national festival in Washington D.C.
Western Connecticut State University’s Fall 2015 theatre arts production, Parade, was nominated for 14 national awards and won five, including “Outstanding Production of a Musical”, “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical”, “Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical”, “Best Director of a Musical”, and “Outstanding Choreography” at the American College Theatre Festival(KCACTF). These honors represent the most awards WCSU has ever received for a production, and also the biggest sweep of awards at the American College Theatre Festival. [Read More … ]