BWW Student Center's School in the Spotlight: University of Delaware

Last year, BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theater website on the Internet, launched a comprehensive Student Database listing college and university performing arts programs across the country. This free service makes it easier for prospective students by showcasing programs searchable by schools, location, degrees and concentrations.

With the new school year in full gear, BWW has updated the fully-interactive Student Show Calendar with 2011-2012 student productions. We have also made it easy for schools to upload photos, videos, cast lists, articles and other media content for each of their shows. In addition, BWW will be combing through all content regularly and will launch weekly feature stories highlighting productions locally and nationally that have provided us with this extra content. 

This week, BWW pays an online visit to the campus of the University of Delaware to announce that the Theatre Department has earned this week's Spotlight mention! 

The Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) at the University of Delaware is a three-year graduate conservatory-style program offering students the opportunity to work toward a Master of Fine Arts in a chosen specialty of Acting, Stage Management or Production and Design. With an emphasis on preparing students for a successful career in the performing arts, the program offers rigorous training in performance, stage management and all aspects of production. While the school's focus is on graduate studies, the department also offers undergraduate students the opportunity to minor in Performance Studies, Theatre Production or Theatre Studies. In addition, undergraduate students interested in performance can take part in the productions hosted by theatre groups on campus, E-52 and the Harrington Theatre Arts Company.

In the final year of studies in PTTP, students join the Resident Ensemble Players acting company made up of 10 Equity actors acting as mentors and participating in productions alongside PTTP students. Throughout this final year of training, Acting and Stage Management students can fulfill their Equity Membership Candidacy while gaining performance and production experience. Productions put on by PTTP tend toward the classical repertoire with past shows including 'Private Lives', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'The Good Doctor', and 'Ways to Heaven'. (Check out photos of past productions here!)

Currently on stage thru February 12 is Martin McDonagh's 'The Cripple of Inishmaan' with Michael Gotch who plays the title character. The academic year will be capped off with productions of 'Our Country's Good' in March and 'The Skin of Our Teeth' in April/May. For more information on these shows, and to buy tickets, click here. Also, make sure to visit the department's YouTube page where you'll see trailers for past and upcoming shows, interviews and other behind-the-scenes videos.   

To learn more about the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Delaware, click here. 

Congratulations to all involved with PTTP! Wishing you continued success in your studies and your professional careers!

Questions/concerns/suggestions related to BWW's student center can be addressed to studentcenter@broadwayworld.com.

Photo of Jasmine Bracey in the REP production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Photo courtey of Paul Cerro.