Department of Theatre and Dance

College of Arts, Languages & Letters
Kennedy Theatre 113
1770 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7677
Fax: (808) 956-4234
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage/

Faculty

*M. Wessendorf, PhD (Chair)—dramatic literature, theatre theory, performance studies
*K. J. Miller, PhD (Associate Chair, Director of Dance)—contemporary dance, screendance and new media, dance research, performance studies
*K. Pauka, PhD (Associate Chair, Director of Theatre)—Asian theatre, acting, directing, research methodology
*T. H. Baker, PhD—Hawaiian theatre, playwriting
*M. Bisbee, MFA—scenic design
*M. Branner, MFA—theatre for young audiences
*J. Iezzi, PhD—Asian theatre, acting, directing, research methodology
*P. Kao, MFA—choreography, improvisation, contemporary dance, interdisciplinary collaborations, research
T. Lopes, MPA—Hawaiian performance: hula and chant
*L. Perillo, PhD—hip hop, Asian dance and performance studies, kinesiology
*A. Schiffner, MFA—creative dance and drama, pedagogy; dance/ theatre teaching internships, research, theory
*M. Speetjens, MFA—costume design
J. Tavares, MFA—stage and film acting

* Graduate Faculty

The Academic Program

The Department of Theatre and Dance is comprised of two separate but related disciplines.

Dance is the art of human motion. The study of Dance emphasizes movement theories, skills, and applications across multiple approaches of live performance, choreography, and screendance within a context of diverse cultural and aesthetic values. The field of dance relates to the physical sciences, music, theatrical performance and production, history, cultural context, oral history, education, digital media, visual design, and human expression. Dance empowers students to create and tell their original stories and cultivate art-making through movement. Dance majors find careers in the areas of performance, choreography, teaching, arts administration, production, television, film, history, and research. Students develop 21st-century literacy skills grounded in current performance practices for the stage and screen. UH Mānoa’s dance program offers comprehensive theory courses and training in a wide variety of dance techniques, studio practice, and diverse styles. The internationally recognized dance tracks, concentrations, and curriculum are considered unique. The dance major benefits from offerings in the study of dance cultures, live and digital dance performance, technique and studio practice, performance as research, choreography, screendance, indigenous dance studies, performance studies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific dance.

Theatre includes the study of dramatic literature and theory; theatre education; acting and directing; stage, costume, and lighting design; stagecraft; playwriting; Hawaiian theatre; TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences); and performance studies. Imaginative and creative individuals interested in the disciplined, practical application of classroom theory are suitable candidates as theatre majors. Teaching and professional stage, film, and television work are typical professions of theatre majors, but the analytical and practical skills, discipline and self-confidence, creativity, problem-solving, and ability to work toward common production goals apply to a wide variety of industries and professions. Other fields known to actively recruit employees with a theatre degree include: advertising, animation, architecture, arts administration, business administration, design for public spaces, exhibit design, fashion, graphic design, human-computer interface design (HCI), landscaping, multi-media marketing, non-profit management, public relations, themed entertainment, urban design and planning, and video game design and performance. The theatre major benefits from a comprehensive curriculum that includes a pioneering Hawaiian theatre program, a nationally respected TYA program, and an internationally recognized program focusing on the Asian theatre traditions of China, Japan, and South and Southeast Asia.

Affiliations

The department is a member of the Hawaiʻi State Theatre Council, an institutional member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), and participates in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). The Asian Theatre Program is affiliated with the Association for Asian Performance. The Dance Program is affiliated with the American College Dance Festival Association, Performance Studies International, and the Dance Studies Association. The Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Program is an active member of TYA/USA, the national chapter of ASSITEJ (International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People).

Advising

After being admitted as majors in theatre and dance, undergraduates must consult each semester with the theatre or dance undergraduate advisor, depending on the chosen concentration. Each major in theatre and dance concentrations is also assigned a faculty mentor who provides additional support and guidance in the student’s particular area of interest and helps in the preparation of a graduation portfolio. Newly admitted graduate students in theatre concentrations should consult for the first one or two semesters with the director of graduate studies in theatre for initial advising, after which each graduate student is expected to select from the graduate faculty a permanent advisor well-versed in the area of the student’s concentration. Incoming graduate students in the dance concentration will be given a dance faculty mentor and advisor for their Creative project in their first semester. Graduate dance students must also consult with the director of graduate studies in dance each semester for course selection and fulfillment of degree requirements.

Undergraduate Study

BA in Theatre and Dance

This degree has two tracks, a Dance Track and a Theatre Track, with a common core. The common core degree requirements include courses in Hawaiian Performance, Stage Production, and a Practicum. The description of each Track is outlined below.

BA: Theatre Track

This degree track is designed for students with a broad interest in theatre and allows maximum flexibility for satisfying requirements in areas of greatest interest. Incoming students may declare a BA major in Theatre and Dance by selecting the Theatre Track on their university application. Students will consult with an advisor in their track each semester to ensure they fulfill the shared degree core as well as the broad-based theatre track requirements in the areas of acting, movement/voice, theatre history, Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific theatre; theatre for young audiences, directing/playwriting, design, and technical theatre production.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio including a resume, a student self-assessment essay, an exit interview, and completion of a survey.

Please see the “Programs” section below for more information.

BA: Dance Track

This degree is designed for students with a broad interest in dance and allows them maximum flexibility to satisfy requirements in their areas of greatest interest. Incoming students may declare a Dance Track on their university application.

Students must complete 40 credit hours: 7 credits of core courses, 28 credits of dance focus courses and 5 credits of elective courses. Elective credit hours are determined in consultation with an advisor and based on the student’s desired focus within dance, such as teaching, choreography, performance studies, visual media for dance, theory or history, or technical theatre production.

BA Theatre and Dance students with a focus in Dance are required to participate in at least one (1) UH dance production per year.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio including a resume and student self assessment essay, exit interview, and completion of a survey.

Please see the “Programs” section below for more information.

BFA in Theatre and Dance

This audition-only degree is designed for those wishing to pursue professional careers in performance and has two tracks: a Dance Track and an Acting for Theatre, Screen, and New Media Track. The common core degree requirements include courses in Hawaiian Performance, Stage Production, and Practicums. Each also requires a Senior Performance project. The description of each Track is outlined below.

BFA: Dance Track

This track is designed for students who wish to pursue professional careers as dance performers, choreographers, scholars, administrators, and/or teachers. Admission to the program is by audition only. Incoming students may declare a BA major in Theatre and Dance with a selection of the Dance Track on their university application, then audition for the BFA degree Dance Track during their first year at UH Mānoa if interested in the BFA Theatre and Dance, Dance Track.

BFA Theatre and Dance: Dance students are required to perform in at least two (2) UH dance productions per year. BFA majors are required to register for a dance studio practice course every semester.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a portfolio including a resume and student self assessment essay, exit interview, and completion of a survey. Please see the “Programs” section below for more information.

BFA: Acting for Theatre, Screen, and New Media Track

This track is designed for students who wish to pursue professional careers as actors in theatre, television, film, and emerging mediums. Admission to the program is by audition only. Incoming students may declare a BA major in Theatre and Dance with a selection of the Theatre Track on their university application, then audition for the BFA degree during the spring semester of their first year at UH Mānoa.

Graduation requirements include the submission of a Professional Website, assessment essay, exit interview, and survey. Please see the “Programs” section below for more information.

Graduate Study

Many graduates pursue teaching careers, but there are many career opportunities in professional theatres and dance companies, radio, television, films, online media, and community theatres, as well as the wide variety of other fields that actively recruit those with theatre, dance, and performance studies degrees.

All graduate degrees in theatre and dance are recognized Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) regional graduate programs. Residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the CNMI, Guam, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming who meet Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requirements are therefore eligible to enroll at reduced tuition rates.

Intended dance applicants for all degrees must present an adequate undergraduate background in dance. The department expects that all incoming graduate students in the MA Dance concentration, or in the MFA Dance concentration will have taken courses that comprise the BA Dance Concentration, or the BFA Dance concentration, degree requirements. If such courses have not been taken, they will be made up as undergraduate deficiencies while in residence and will not count toward the credit accumulation for the master’s degree. Applicants in performance studies concentrations must present an adequate undergraduate background in dance, theatre, or performance studies. Applicants in theatre concentrations must present an adequate undergraduate background in theatre. The department expects that all incoming graduate students in the MA Theatre Education concentration, or in the MFA Theatre concentration will have taken at least two courses in dramatic literature or theatre history, and one course in each of the following three areas: acting, directing, and design or technical theatre. If such courses have not been taken, they will be made up as undergraduate deficiencies while in residence and will not count toward the credit accumulation for the master’s degree. Requirements for admission to the PhD include a broad background in the humanities, a master’s degree in Theatre or Dance or its equivalent, and competence in dramatic production.

All graduate applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, and a Statement of Objectives with specific reasons why the applicant wishes to attend UH Mānoa. Applicants for the MA and to the MFA Dance concentration are also expected to submit a significant sample of written work, such as a major paper; those seeking the MFA degree should present appropriate supplementary materials such as portfolios, video of acting audition material or material directed, play scripts, or for applicants to the Dance concentration, a sample of their choreography, screendance, or performance. Applicants for admission to the PhD degree must submit a detailed statement of the dissertation research they propose, and a sample of their research (such as a seminar paper or a master’s thesis). These required materials may be uploaded as part of the application.

Graduate Division also requires applicants to submit one transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Applicants may submit unofficial copies of transcripts while applying for admission. Most applicants whose native language is not English are required to take an English Language Proficiency Exam. Applicants are required to meet the minimum scores established by the Graduate Division for the TOEFL (including TOEFL iBT Home Edition exams), or the IELTS (including IELTS Indicator exams).

The priority application deadline for the fall semester is December 15 of the previous year; for spring semester the priority application deadline is August 15 of the previous year. Please see the departmental website for complete application instructions.

Master’s Degrees in Theatre and Dance

Master’s degrees include the MA with Plan A and B options and the MFA Plan B. Elective courses are selected in consultation with advisors to reflect special interests. Students with sufficient undergraduate preparation may take approved related graduate courses in other departments for credit toward the MA or MFA.

Upon the successful completion of 12 graduate credit hours within the department, the elimination of any undergraduate deficiencies, and (for MFA students) the presentation of an acceptable qualifying creative project, the student may be admitted to candidacy.

Programs

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Doctorate

Theatre and Dance, PhD

Minor

Theatre and Dance, Minor [requirements forthcoming]