Amherst College Department of Theater and Dance

220 South Pleasant Street
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
413.542.2411
admission@amherst.edu

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Degrees offered

Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Dance

About the program

The boundaries between theater, dance, and other performance forms are blurring. The Department of Theater and Dance sees these several forms as different expressions of a single aesthetic instinct. Thus we explore, from different perspectives, the many relationships between live performer and audience sharing the same time and place. Ours is not a conservatory training program in the arts of theater and dance. We do not narrowly prepare students for careers as actors and dancers. Rather, we seek to give students concrete experiences in the unique creativity demanded by the act of performance; to introduce students to the mental, emotional, and physical disciplines of making performances; to encourage students' exploration of the collaborations inherent in performance; and to understand the need generated in many cultures to define and express oneself through performance.

Notable alumni

Jeff Janisheski, Alec Hammond, Lisa Biggs, Ruby Rowat, Yanira Castro, Gregory Moss, Kathy Couch, Erika Kinetz, Jemma Alix Levy, Julie Powell, Mabel Lajes, Jewel Younge, Marina Libel, Eddie Kim, Ryan Platt, Marina Reti, Emily Alpren, Christina Septien, Jamie O'Brien, Bernard Bygott, Brian Clowdus, Trsitan Jeffers, Julia Brownell, Anne MacRae, Katherine Buechner, Zeina Nasr, Tarja (Dasha) Martikainen, Isaiah Tanenbaum, Taela Brooks, Jonathan Wemette, Timothy Hann, Nick Brentley, Andrew Kelsey, Milena Dabova, Emily Rosenberg, Emma Jaster, Lucille Jun, Brian Lewis.

Acceptance rate

Reported acceptance rate (source/year not provided by school): Amherst College, known for its selectivity, has an overall acceptance rate of 10%

Faculty

Ron Bashford (Associate Professor of Theater and Dance
Chair of Theater and Dance)
Naveen Bahar Choudhury (Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater and Dance)
Jung Eun Kim (Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater and Dance)
Suzanne P. Dougan (Stanley King '03 Professor of Theater and Dance and Director of Theatrical Productions)
Jenna M. Riegel (Assistant Professor of Theater and Dance)
Raffeal A. Sears (Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater and Dance)
Wendy Woodson (Roger C. Holden 1919 Professor of Theater and Dance)
Kathy C. Couch (Lighting Manager)
Connie Congdon (Playwright-In-Residence
Emerita)
Suzanne P. Dougan (Stanley King '03 Professor of Theater and Dance and Director of Theatrical Productions
Peter T. Lobdell (Senior Resident Artist in the Department of Theater and Dance
Emeritus)
Jeffrey C. Bird (Technical Manager)
Jonathan M. Doyle (Technical Director/Production Coordinator)
Carla G. Froeberg (Costume Shop Supervisor)
Emily K. Hoem (Expert Costumer)
Suzie Rivers (Academic Department Coordinator/Business Manager)

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