Mission statement

Approved: December 1, 2008

The Department of Theatre is a constituent element of the College of Arts and Sciences and as such is fashioned in the liberal arts tradition. According to the University Catalogue (1990-1991), the goals of a liberal arts curriculum are in part:

• To provide students a sound liberal education;
• To instill in students a spirit of reasoned inquiry and those habits of intellectual discipline which are required for the critical thinking expected of free men and women;
• To provide them the skills necessary to cope with the complex human, societal, and technological problems of modern society;
• To prepare students for entry into rewarding careers in a variety of fields and for advanced study that may be prerequisite to other opportunities.

The Department of Theatre pursues these ends through the humanistic investigation of theatre history, dramatic literature, and criticism through collaborative, creative, and self-expressive theatrical production.

As a liberal arts program, the Bachelor of Arts in theatre is not usually viewed as a professional credential, but offers exposure to many theatrical disciplines and a concentration in at least one of them. Most theatre graduates, consequently, should expect to pursue advanced educational or specialized training to enter a profession.

Within the framework of the liberal arts philosophy, though, the Department of Theatre is committed to providing the nearest equivalent of pre-professional training of sufficient breadth, depth, and rigor that can be applied to a wide range of endeavors.

The program in theatre, therefore, is based on the belief that theory and practice are of equal and complementary value. Dramatic literature, history, and criticism give perspective, foundation, and knowledge that deepen the understanding of the theatre; theatrical production, on the other hand, gives concreteness to theory and offers bases for the interpretation of theatrical literature and history, in addition to providing avenues for self-expression. These two aspects of theatrical instruction, then, should be kept in balance.

The produced drama is the event that most fully unites all that is meant by "theatre." It combines in a single experience the knowledge and insight gained by study with the practical arts of the actor, director, designers, and dramaturges.

The basic goals of the theatre program are met through disciplined study and practice integrated within the aim of the liberal arts program to produce students who can combine what they know about theatre with their insights into the human condition.

In conjunction with these goals, the Department of Theatre is fully aware that no performance or production can be complete without the audience. Therefore, the Department is committed to providing the University of Vermont community, the Burlington area, and the surrounding region a rich cultural resource.

Our goals are:

• To pursue the qualities of respect and trust that will cultivate an atmosphere of mutual scholarly and creative growth through sharing the study and practice of theatre.
• To encourage and establish through practice and example, values that nurture respect for the individual and the art.
• To stimulate the bold and exciting exploration of the imagination in oneself and others by recognizing that creativity is at the heart of what we do.
• To strive to be a catalyst for positive change through our collaborative efforts and our interactions with the community by recognizing that theatre has great potential impact on society.
• To secure artistic freedom through financial responsibility and exploring and developing potential growth opportunities.
• To actively promote and support professional endeavors among the faculty and staff through experience and training in order to enrich our lives and therefore the students' learning experiences.
• To establish a flexible structure for accomplishing goals in a timely, realistic, and responsible fashion. This structure will promote the free and open exchange of ideas and information.

Last modified May 19 2010 03:12 PM