The University of Akron wants to bring back its theater arts degree program by attracting theater majors with a focus on entrepreneurship, physical theater and film studies.
The degree program was suspended two years ago, along with 54 other degree programs, because of low enrollment. Theater classes still are offered at the university, but students can no longer earn a bachelor’s degree in theater arts.
The department was given an opportunity during the past two years to revise its curriculum and pitch a plan to the acting provost, acting dean and board of trustees to bring the undergraduate degree back.
If the UA Board of Trustees approves the plan during its next meeting Tuesday and the Ohio Department of Higher Education then agrees, a theater degree could be offered again next year.
John Green, the acting dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, credited the theater faculty for rebuilding an innovative program that will offer students a background in more than the mechanics of theater.
“The new degree has a clear and distinctive focus and utilizes resources we already have on campus,” Green said. “The problem with the previous program is that it was a general theater program that tried to do everything for everybody.”
James Slowiak, professor and co-artistic director of theater at the University of Akron, said supporters argued “the university needed to give us another chance and not just arbitrarily close us down.”
“The Faculty Senate and alumni got behind us and we got a chance to revise the program and revise the curriculum,” he said.
The requirements of the general theater degree would drop from the previous 128 credits to 120, in line with a university-wide revision. The number of credits required for theater courses would be reduced from 57 to 40.
Slowiak said the new theater degree students will build on four interdisciplinary options:
• Applied theater and social entrepreneurship. The student would be able to get a degree in theater plus a certificate in conflict management (15 credits of different courses) and take electives in theater that apply more to applied theater or theater in community action.
• Physical theater. A unique approach based on Slowiak’s background training under Polish theater director and theorist Jerzy Grotowski, physical theater involves taking some dance classes and things like yoga and Pilates as well as ensemble work to learn “how to work with their voice and their bodies,” he said.
• Business entrepreneurship. A degree in theater and a certificate in entrepreneurship that would be offered through the business college, particularly for students interested in administrative work or owning their own theater or company.
• Theater and film studies. Not making films, but studying film and being able to critique film using some of the courses that already exist in the English and Communication Department and Modern languages.
Slowiak said the four options would offer more than what you would get from a general theater degree, which you can get at many area colleges.
“Students will be able to not only get a theater degree, but an entrepreneurial certificate or social entrepreneurship certificate, or study film or theater or become a more physical oriented actor than in other programs,” Slowiak said. “It will make UA’s program more distinct and more competitive.”
Samantha Hanna, who graduated from UA in May with a multidisciplinary degree, said the revised theater program would have been a good fit for her career path.
The new degree will use the tools of theater in the community to work with at-risk populations, immigrant populations, youth centers or, in her case, working with the elderly.
She had to mix and match classes on her own with a major in theater, and also a focus on gerontology and social work.
“I want to take the theater arts and work with elderly people to do recreational therapy through the arts,” she said. “Now that all the baby boomers are aging, it’s becoming a movement to use theater and the performing arts to keep seniors active as well as help them deal with the difficulties of aging.”
Kenneth Wilson, owner of Kent LeMar Productions, said he likes the business entrepreneurship option in the proposed new theater degree program.
Wilson is now attending graduate school to learn the business side after graduating from UA with a theater degree in December. He is learning about spreadsheets and how to write grants and letters for investors. He has collaborated with his wife, Ava Blu, who is an artist and writes children’s books. The couple produces live entertainment and plays and have an office in Independence.
He praised Slowiak for changing the program.
But James Turk, who earned a degree in theater arts from UA, said the old general theater arts program was perfect for him. He loves acting and is starring in a film written by two of his friends.
“The classes made me appreciate what it takes to be in theater. I have a better understanding of acting, directing and behind the scenes and working with other people,” Turk said. “My ultimate goal is to go to Hollywood or New York to act, or just doing it anywhere would also be great.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.