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David Howey, School Director
jhowey@uarts.edu
215.717.6568

Contents

• Mission Statement
• Overview
• School Objectives
• School Learning Outcomes
• Facilities
• Productions & Auditions
• Extracurricular Activities

Mission Statement

The Ira Brind School of Theater Arts is committed to developing the individual artistic voice of each student. Each student will develop both skills and an expanded point of view. Upon graduation, our students are ready to engage the medium and the world with a strong sense of themselves as citizen artists.

Overview

The curriculum is conservatory-inspired, celebrating acting instruction as the focal point of training in both the Acting and Musical Theater programs, with a deep investment in vocal and physical training as principal support areas. In both the Theater Design and Technology and Directing, Playwriting, and Production programs, the focus upon technique holds true, supported by extended collaborative learning opportunities in production. Opportunities for master classes, guest speakers, internships, and apprenticeships with both nationally prominent guest artists and the many local professional companies are among the experiences open to all Brind School students.

The highly focused and demanding training is complimented by a strong concentration in Critical Studies. We believe that the theater artist, charged with reflecting the human condition, is best developed hand in hand with a strong grounding in Critical Studies.

School Objectives

The Brind School at the University of the Arts:

• serves its students by developing their artistic point of view and cultivating a way of looking at their worldly experiences to enhance expression and meaning in their work.
• trains these students in their craft, prepares them for careers in the theater, and offers performance opportunities appropriate to that training and preparation.
• serves the University and the community at large by producing theater that is thoughtful, provocative and entertaining and communicates a strong artistic and social point of view.
• serves the theater community by producing new works and neglected masterpieces, and seeking ongoing experimentation with new materials, techniques and technologies.

School Learning Outcomes

• A Brind Artist will CREATE and INNOVATE.
  They will make work that exhibits imagination and a strong personal point of view that contributes to and challenges all aspects of performance media .
• A Brind Artist will ENGAGE and CONNECT as a citizen-artist across communities and ideas.
  They will demonstrate an awareness of how the theater artist serves society and the breadth of opportunity available to engage in that service; exhibiting curiosity and empathy supported by a knowledge of the history of their art and the humanities.
• A Brind Artist will possess CRAFT, TECHNIQUE, and PROFESSIONALISM.
  They will demonstrate the ability to assess their own work and that of others, to manage time and resources, to read and analyze plays and source material and to innovate, collaborate and iterate in the service of theater-making under a wide range of conditions.
• A Brind Artist will be ADAPTABLE.
  They will be flexible and fearless in their integration of studio and classroom techniques to meet the varying demands of dramatic forms and theatrical styles in preparation and performance.

Facilities

The majority of facilities for the Brind School are located in the Terra Building at 211 South Broad Street. These include seminar and classroom spaces and studios for individual voice, speech, dance, movement, and acting instruction. In addition, The Brind School enjoys the use of 6 public performance venues.

• Laurie Beechman Cabaret Theater - 60 seat
• Caplan Studio Theater - 100 seat
• Caplan Recital Hall - 200 seat
• ArtsBank Theater - 230 seat
• Levitt Auditorium - 700 seat
• Merriam Theater - 1800 seat

Design and technical support are provided by a production shop, a costume shop, a design studio, a lighting lab, areas for both property and costume stock, and a fully-equipped video editing studio.

Productions and Auditions

The Brind School presents an annual season of work which includes projects helmed by students, faculty and celebrated guest artists from the national and local theater scenes. Auditions for the season are open to all Brind School students.

Extracurricular Activities

Students in the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts may participate in approved theater projects outside the University. We believe professional work can foster the growth and imagination of our students. The approval process will include consideration of student academic standing, program head and school director advisement.

Programs

• GC in Devised Performance
• MFA in Devised Performance

• BFA in Acting
• BFA in Directing, Playwriting + Production
• BFA in Musical Theater
• BFA in Theater Design + Technology

• Musical Theater minor

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