Listen. Risk. Hope. Nurture.
Theatre is a collaborative endeavor that cultivates empathy. This department upholds the idea that this can only happen when all people are treated equally, with respect and dignity, in an environment free from hostility and harassment. In our classrooms, production facilities, and work places we value students and artists of all abilities, races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, beliefs, and other expressions of identity. We encourage a diversity of ideas and points of view.
Violation of these core values will not be tolerated.
If you are willing to listen, to risk, to hope, and to nurture all people: You are welcome here.
“I enjoy studying theatre because I love how I can dig deep into a character and bring their experiences, emotions, and thoughts to life. By infusing some of my story with their story, I can take the audience on a journey.”
—Rina Kirsch ’19
BIOLOGY AND THEATRE
A Distinct Experience
Click on the banners below and learn more about what makes a theatre experience unique at Juniata College.
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This new Theatre Arts POE offers a holistic preparation for theatre artists in the larger context of Juniata’s liberal arts environment. The Juniata Theatre program is student-centered and inclusive allowing student voices to drive the evolution of our program. Stability and diversity characterize our program, which offers a gateway for careers in theatre but also embraces a lifelong love of theatre and its integration into a well-lived life.
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The structure of the Theatre Arts POE offers the students the opportunity to focus and hone their particular interests that they design with their advisors. Furthermore, students engage deeply with specialists (invited guest artists) in techniques ranging from mime, trapeze, fight choreography, and more. Through the hands-on creation of theatrical works from the ground up and with close faculty mentorship, theatre students at Juniata College develop the discipline, rigor, and ethical behavior necessary for working collaboratively in the theatre and as a professional in the industry.
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The Suzanne von Liebig Theatre is a free-form space with a postindustrial design that gives directors and designers the flexibility to create a new performance space again and again, by situating the audience in any configuration desired for the show at hand. The center also features a studio space, which can be used in more intimate productions.
Outcomes
It’s common that a student can graduate from Juniata with credits for 12 professionally-produced theatre productions. Their performances include stage combat, trapeze, mime, dance improvisation, and Chicago comedy improvisation. They also gain experience developing plays and acting for the camera.
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- Jessi Haggerty-Denison ‘14
- is studying Aerial Dance and Skinner Releasing in Istanbul, Turkey, after which, she is spending the summer in New York City acting a a short feature film.
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- Jamison Monella ‘16
- moved to New York City and performed in Drones, a play at Planet Connections Theater Festivity, which garnered recognition at the festivities award ceremony. He plans to continue his theatrical journey in New York.
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- Holly Souchack ‘16
- moved to Chicago and enrolled in the music program at second city, and is performing with a political comedy sketch group called Democracy Burlesque.
Faculty
Our theatre professors have graced many stages across the world, and, in addition to holding minor roles on television and in film, they hold various certifications in technique, and are voiceover artists, poets, and directors.
“In my life, I am most passionate about theatre. It really gives me a chance to be creative and unique. Also, at Juniata, I have been provided with incredible opportunities to meet guest artists and to explore my own passions and theatrical abilities.”
—Lewis Boob ’18
Student Opportunities
Study Abroad: At Juniata you can study at programs on every continent, except Antarctica. Recently, theatre students have visited Ireland and Paris, but many sites are well-suited to studying theatre abroad.
Train comprehensively, in-depth, and practically: Study and integrate any number of theatrical or ritual arts into your own work including movement, puppetry, mask, clowning, aerial dance, music, written forms, and multimedia. Nurture and perform new work.
Intern: Our theatre students have held internships across the nation at places like Shuler Theatre in Raton, N.M., Wolf Trap Foundation in Washington, D.C., Battery Dance Company in New York City, and South Park Theatre in Pittsburgh, Pa.