Millikin Department of Theatre and Dance Becomes School of Theatre and Dance

Millikin University's highly regarded Department of Theatre and Dance within the College of Fine Arts has been renamed the School of Theatre and Dance. The change takes effect starting August 2016.

The name change from Department to School not only highlights the national reputation of Theatre and Dance at Millikin but also asserts a new structure which will facilitate the continuing growth of the School of Theatre and Dance as it expands in terms of students, faculty, curriculum and degree programs. Millikin Provost Dr. Jeffery Aper noted, "The new structure will encourage greater collaboration from talented faculty connecting an increasingly wide range of academic programs in theatre and dance and encompassing student directed initiatives, entrepreneurial energies and new programs such as Arts Technology."

"For our programs in Theatre and Dance, the transition from being a 'department' to being a 'school' serves as recognition of its impressive development into a nationally acclaimed undergraduate theatre training program," says Laura Ledford, dean of the College of Fine Arts at Millikin University. "The School of Theatre and Dance has always exemplified Millikin's approach to education, Performance Learning. Our students learn by practicing their craft at a high level throughout their training, with and for successful practitioners including our faculty, staff, alums and theatre professionals across the industry."

In conjunction with this name change, the College of Fine Arts has named Mary Black director of the School of Theatre and Dance effective August 2016.

Mary Black, associate professor of theatre, is a technical director and designer with past credits including technical work at Indiana University Theatre and Opera programs, Iowa Summer Repertory Theatre, Brown County Playhouse and the University of Iowa Theatre and Opera programs. She is actively involved in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and has published and presented at USITT national conferences. In 2009, she was awarded the KM Fabrics Technical Production Award through USITT. She also designs scenery and lighting, including credits at the Station Theatre in Urbana, Ill., and the Decatur Parks District Best of Summer Stock program for Decatur youth.

"I am excited and proud to have the opportunity to lead an exceptional and committed faculty and staff in the School of Theatre and Dance into the future," said Black. "Over the coming years, I hope to see the new School of Theatre and Dance grow strategically, diversify both our population and our curriculum, and build upon the excellence in theatre and dance education for which we have become known."

The School of Theatre and Dance will also welcome a new Center for Theatre and Dance to campus in the coming years that will house an enhanced, updated, well-equipped performance space and teaching facility. The Center will allow Theatre and Dance faculty to more effectively offer students the skills and experience they need to be successful as theatre technicians, designers, managers and producers. Millikin plans to build a new Center for Theatre and Dance to house this signature Millikin program. More than $11.5 million has been raised for this effort, with a goal of raising over $21 million.

"It is an exciting time for Theatre and Dance. The reputation and quality of our department has grown consistently over the last 15 years making Millikin's theatre program a major player in the education of emerging artists," said Sean Morrissey, artist in residence in the School of Theatre and Dance. "Transitioning to a School of Theatre and Dance is the logical next step to growing and moving our program into the future. It will help us with recruitment and fundraising for the new Center for Theatre and Dance while better positioning us in the national conversation on theatre education."

Laura Ledford noted, "In addition to its highly regarded performance training, the School of Theatre and Dance offers excellent education and training in theatrical design, technical production, stage management and theatre administration. The 'school' model will allow us to bring more focus to the depth and complexity of our work in these areas by recruiting more students and enhancing the production values of the performance season."

New Faculty and Staff

New staff and faculty coming to Millikin will help the School of Theatre and Dance grow in impact and number of students. The School of Theatre and Dance welcomes Kevin Hoffmann, assistant professor, with expertise in acting; Allison Moody, visiting assistant professor, with expertise in voice; Eric Mercer, technical director; and Marc Black, master electrician and master carpenter.

Millikin Theatre and Dance produces numerous performances in venues on and off-campus, including musicals, plays, operas, children's theatre and dance concerts, as well as productions through its student-run theatre company, Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre.

Millikin's School of Theatre and Dance is a nationally-recognized program, offering conservatory style training rooted in a liberal arts education. The School of Theatre and Dance's approach to education offers students valuable insight and hands-on experiences that will prepare them for professional success. Nationwide, Millikin's respected theatre alumni are routinely hired for projects in television, film and Live Theatre, including top Broadway shows. For more information, visit millikin.edu/theatre.

For further information, please contact Millikin University Media Relations Coordinator Dane Lisser at 217.420.6636 or dlisser@millikin.edu.

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