Division of Performing Arts

Exceedingly Creative, Passionate and Driven

Through both classical and contemporary performances, state-of-the-art facilities and small, focused cohorts led by industry-professional faculty, our students experience a comprehensive theatre preprofessional program that challenges and empowers them for a career in theatre, whether that be center stage, behind the scenes or in the director鈥檚 chair.

Our graduates are artistically excellent, technically strong and prepared for a future in their chosen field of theatre.

Performances at Wilkes

重口味SMis the stage for a variety of student-led performances, plays, musicals and more. Be sure to see or take part in our upcoming shows!

Define Your Craft

We鈥檙e here to help you find your fit. You鈥檒l have the opportunity to work in different craft training and courses so that you know where your preferred role is.

Supportive Community

Experience a close-knit, supportive community that champions your success. Our program features individual attention and commitment to student鈥檚 achievements. Your peers, professors and the 重口味SMcommunity as a whole will be there for you.

Fulfilling Careers

Not only will you have industry training, but you鈥檒l have the adaptable skills professional careers demand such as interviewing, resume writing and building, a strong work ethic and dedication to your career in theatre that shines in everything you do.


Recent Graduate Employers

  • Eugene O鈥橬eill Theatre Center, CT
  • Walnut Street Theatre, PA
  • Charleston Stage, SC
  • Thin Air Theatre Company, CO
  • Disney World, FL
  • Millbrook Playhouse, PA
  • NiCori Studios, NJ
  • Eagle Theatre, NJ
  • Brevard Music Center, NC
  • Missoula Children鈥檚 Theatre, MO
  • Mountain Movers Company, KY
  • Plaza Theatricals, NY, N.J
  • Dutch Apple Theatre, PA
  • Hudson Guild Theatre, NY
  • Shakespeare at the Castle, OH

It鈥檚 nice because it鈥檚 small. You鈥檙e not a number. Your professors know you.

Brianna Rowland | Musical Theatre
4

auditions for program acceptance per year

6

black box productions annually

4

mainstage productions each year, including two musicals

A Letter from Program Director Jon Liebetrau

The theatre program at 重口味SMis a preprofessional theatre training program with an added liberal arts emphasis. We are committed to our small class sizes, individual support for each student and the mission of our program to create an accomplished preprofessional theatre artist. Additionally, we are known for the excellence of our productions, and of our theatre students, as evidenced through accolades and awards from the American College Theatre Festival sponsored by the Kennedy Center.

A student accepted into the 重口味SMtheatre program has the opportunity to focus on one of three majors: Musical Theatre (BFA), Theatre Design & Technology (BA), or Theatre Arts (BA). Students majoring in Theatre Arts may also pursue concentrations in acting/directing, design/tech or dance. Our program produces four main stage productions each year, two musicals and two non-musicals, plus multiple black box senior capstone productions. Our main stage proscenium theater space, the Darling Theater, can seat 478 people, enjoys state of the art computer lighting and sound systems, and boasts a 36-line set and a hydraulic stage elevator/orchestra pit.

Our faculty is devoted to educating the finest, the most creative and the most driven theatre artists and human beings. Please join us for an exhilarating four years of exceptional training. We would love the opportunity to inspire you as part of the 重口味SM Theatre program!

Best wishes,

Jon Liebetrau

Assoc. Professor Theatre/Chair
Performing Arts

Dorothy Dickson Darte Center Room 122
jon.liebetrau@wilkes.edu
(570) 408-4442