Theatre Studies
Westmont has long been recognized as a home to exciting, innovative theatre. As recipients of a long list of Independent Awards for both students and faculty, and “Best Production” accolades in the area press, the department is known for exciting approaches to classical and contemporary work. In February 2002, D.J. Palladino wrote about “The Skin of our Teeth” in the Santa Barbara Independent,
“It’s Westmont again for daring theater. Does Westmont know this about itself? When you think about the conventionally held ideas of a Christian institution, it always seems strange that this school harbors work more ‘out there’ than the two other active college theater programs put together.”
Whether its productions of Sophocles and Shakespeare, or original work created by the department’s artists and students, Westmont’s approach to making theatre is up-to-date, relentlessly alive, and very contemporary.
The program focuses primarily on the development of western theatre traditions (though it also offers classes in Asian, African, and Eastern European theatre), and on the collaborative processes engaged in the creation of live theatre. Majors acquire an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the field through an integrative study of theatre history and theory, acting and directing, and design and technology. The program’s many courses provide opportunities for the development of personal creativity and critical thinking skills, and encourage a broad and deep understanding of the art of the theatre.
We are very proud of our program: its richness comes from a unique blend of rigor, faith, curiosity, and determination. In our program a student receives a great deal of personal attention in classes that are small and manageable, taught by professors who believe in the vision of a Christian liberal arts college.We pursue excellence in theatre.
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Westmont in the Arts