Department of Theatre

Administration
Diane Timmerman, MFA, Department Chair

Professors
William Fisher, MFA equivalent; Robert Koharchik, MFA; Wendy Meaden, MFA; Diane Timmerman, MFA

Associate Professors
Elaina Artemiev, PhD

Lecturer
Andrés López, PhD

Department Website
www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/theatre/

Why Study Theatre?

Butler University is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre.
Butler theatre students develop their own voices through rigorous study and collaborative practice. We prepare students to push the boundaries of theatre and integrate their theatre training into purposeful lives.
With the practical conditions for theatre artists constantly evolving, the Butler University Department of Theatre offers students the experience, skills, and initiative to navigate a rapidly changing environment and pursue their aspirations with determination and purpose. Butler Theatre’s distinctive, collaborative work extends beyond the curriculum, offering a depth and breadth of research, practice, and experience.
The curriculum is designed to educate the whole person and to prepare future theatre artists to enter and transform the field or apply knowledge, communication, and problem-solving skills regardless of their eventual profession. Within the frame of Butler University’s liberal arts education, our practice-based, international tradition surpasses a conventional academic approach, bringing students into dialogue with extraordinary artists and institutions worldwide.
Complementing a faculty of international professionals, the department maintains relationships with significant guest artists, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre, and the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. We maintain partnerships with study programs at destinations around the world.
The Christel DeHaan Visiting International Theatre Artist Program is a unique and exciting program that connects Butler students with prominent theatre artists from around the world.
Our goal is to contribute to a community of citizen artists who are broadly and rigorously prepared to work effectively and innovatively across artistic approaches, venues, and technologies, and by extension to engage in the continuing conversation about what it means to be human.

Mission

We prepare students to develop their individual voice and to integrate their comprehensive theatre training into purposeful lives.

Core Values

Professionalism: Collaborating with diligence, skill, integrity, and artistry.
Inclusivity: Engaging diverse artists, students, audiences, and community partners in a meaningful exchange.
Creativity: Exploring innovative and effective ways to present theatre.

Theatre Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate proficiency in theatre processes, including play analysis, performance, technologies, design, and directing
Demonstrate the ability to apply theatre processes in production
Demonstrate an understanding of theatre in relationship to historical and contemporary contexts, as well as its historical and contemporaneous relationship to other art forms
Demonstrate an understanding of the collaborative nature of theatre
Demonstrate the ability to assess quality in works of theatre

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre (BA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (BFA)
Minor in Theatre

Areas of Emphasis

The following areas of emphasis (11-14 credits) are not stand-alone degrees. Theatre majors may elect to complete one or more of these areas of emphasis; they are not required. At least 50 percent of the credits in any emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives).

Acting
Costume Design/Technical Theatre
Directing
Music Theatre
Set and Lighting Design/Technical Theatre
Stage Management

Additional Information

Alpha Psi Omega, Omicron Epsilon cast is the Butler chapter of the National Theatre Honorary Dramatic Society.

Auditions for most mainstage productions are limited to majors. Any Butler student may audition for student-directed productions.

Programs

Major

Minor

Theatre Minor

Courses

Theatre