Prospective Students
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Welcome from the Westmont College Theatre Arts Department, and the Westmont Festival Theatre. We value your interest greatly, and hope that you will consider us as you look for a college theatre program. As you think about which school to attend, please keep in mind these qualities of a Theatre education at Westmont.
Most important, we learn and create in a Christ-centered environment. Our fundamental mission is to integrate our faith and the study of the theatre. Not only do we wish to develop a broad and rich knowledge of the theatre, but we are committed to studying the art form in the light of the heritage and principles that inform our faith.
We have a comprehensive curriculum, including excellent courses in acting, directing, dramatic literature, theatre history, and design. In keeping with Westmont’s liberal arts tradition, it is our philosophy to study the many areas of the discipline, rather than specialize in any particular one. Consequently, a student comes away with a rich education that provides entry into graduate school or the profession. We have former students who are professional actors, designers, technicians, and playwrights, as well as teachers in higher education.
Our seasons are always provocative and exciting. We stage a great range of interesting, diverse plays, including great classics, contemporary plays, original works, and musicals. Our last several seasons have included such plays as Jane Eyre, The Skin of Our Teeth, Frankenstein, Antigone, Richard II, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Saint Plays, The Bourgeois Gentleman, The Mariner, and Top Girls. We strive to create bold, exciting theatre, and have developed a reputation for stagings with interesting interpretations and excellent acting.
Our faculty and staff are comprised of talented teachers and theatre artists, with a great depth of professional experience. All of our faculty and staff work regularly in the professional theatre, and many have been recipients of major regional awards. Our faculty work closely with students, and since Westmont is a small school and our department is relatively small, each student receives a great deal of individual attention and training.
If you have any more questions about our program, or wish information about scholarships, please contact the theatre office at (805) 565-7040. Thank you for your interest; we hope you choose Westmont and look forward to hearing from you.
Mitchell Thomas, Chair
Department of Theatre Arts