For the sixth year in a row, the Wagner College Theater has been ranked by the Princeton Review among the top collegiate stage programs in the nation. The ranking appeared in the Princeton Review's 2011 "Best 373 Colleges" guide, which was released Aug. 3.
Wagner was No. 5 on the Princeton Review's Best College Theaters list, behind Drew University, Emerson College, Yale University and Bennington College. And Wagner College was the only New York City college or university to appear on the Best College Theaters list, which included 20 top schools nationwide.
What is it that distinguishes the Wagner College Theater from other collegiate stage programs? Theater head Felicia Ruff identified several of Wagner's Unique Features:
1) Top-tier working professionals on the faculty.
2) A proven track record of graduating top-tier professionals.
3) Its location in New York City, the heart of the American theater.
4) Its own record of stage productions.
FACULTY
Three examples: Arturo Porazzi, stage manager for the Broadway production of "Memphis," teaches stage management at Wagner College. Later this month, Tony Award-winning actress Michele Pawk joins Wagner's full-time faculty. And John Caraffa, a major film and Broadway choreographer, will be directing Wagner's production of William Finn's "Spelling Bee" in November. Year after year, Wagner
attracts some of the top names in theater to its campus: John Rando, Ben Brantley, Douglas Carter Beane, Elaine Stritch, Charles Busch, to name just a few.
GRADUATES
Currently, six Wagner Theater grads are working on Broadway - four as performers, two backstage. Graduates include Tony and Drama Desk award winners like Randy Graf and Janine LaManna. Other graduates are performing in regional theater or national touring companies, are working in casting, talent management or literary development, or are part of nationally renowned theatre-education programs like the Roundabout and Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theatre.
LOCATION
"Wagner College is located in New York City," Ruff said - to be precise, the borough of Staten Island. "Wagner Theater students audition for Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway shows. They see some of the best stage performances in the world. And they get internships at some of the world's major cultural, arts and entertainment centers."
PRODUCTIONS
"I know of no other college theater, including major conservatories, that have for close to 30 years produced four musicals a year, along with staging additional dance and dramatic works," Ruff concluded.
For more information about Wagner College Theater, please visit http://www.wagner.edu/
