peggysue

What have you heard? Seen in performances? Experienced in classes if you're a current student?

Class size, focus on performance vs. literary interpretation, overall reputability, quality of productions, etc. appreciated. Thanks!

arose4emily

When I visited Vassar last year, I sat in on the freshman theatre class, Intro-to-Theatermaking. they were giving group presentations of the play Could Nine. I was absolutely blown away. It was a very relaxed enviornment, and everyone got along extrememly well. They were all incredible talented, too. I didn't manage to see a play, but their acting in the group presentations was amazing.

The class had about 30 students, and there were two teachers, including Co-Head of Department Christopher Grabowski. Seeing as that was the Intro to Theatre class, the Intermediate and Advenced level classes probably have less students. They focused on both performance and individual interpretation of the work in that class, and offered advice without it seeming like critisism. If anything, sitting in on the class further sealed the deal that I want to be part of Vassar's theatre program.

dc89

I've never taken a drama class at Vassar, but I'm in a drama production this semester (technically, you have to have taken Drama 102: Intro to Theatre-making and Drama 103: Stagecraft, but they relaxed that rule for the musical this semester) so I can tell you a little about it. There are drama majors who focus on acting, drama majors who focus on tech, drama majors who focus on directing, etc etc as well as drama as literature. Like most classes at Vassar, the drama classes are small.

The production values of drama department shows tend to be VERY high - their sets, lighting, sound, etc. tend to be VERY nice. The facilities are gorgeous. The theatre faculty is really knowledgeable and from what I understand, they all have pretty extensive professional backgrounds. It's a really rewarding department, especially considering that Vassar isn't a conservatory. Being in a drama department production takes up a HUGE amount of time - I'm in the ensemble of a musical this semester and I'm generally in rehearsal 2-4 hours a night, 3-4 nights a week. In addition, if you're cast in a show, you're also required to complete a tech assignment (for instance, I'm on the set build crew for my show, so when that starts up, I'll have another 2 hours per night a few nights a week when I have to be in the scene shop). But you get a half-unit of credit for participation in drama productions, which is nice.

Student theatre is also WONDERFUL at Vassar! I've been in two student musical theatre productions (one of them, "Bare," has kind of become a mini-YouTube phenomenon...) and both of them were absolutely great experiences. There is really no shortage of opportunities to participate in theatre at Vassar, whether or not you're involved in the department, and it's good to keep in mind that a low-budget student production can be just as well-received and rewarding to participate in as a faculty production with department funding.