Dramatic Studies

Overview

The Weatherford College Theatre department offers students a myriad of opportunities, including performance and production, a paid work-study technical theatre program, and internships with a professional theatre company.

Program

Our program offers classes and opportunities within the realms of acting, technical theatre, design, and theory. We take the students’ preparation for the professional theatre world very seriously, and as such, we train them not only in the art of acting and technical theatre, but also how to present and market themselves as professionals. We also give students the chance to learn from other professionals in addition to those within the WC faculty. Full and partial scholarships are available to qualified candidates.

Internships and Workshops

Our students are given the opportunity to intern with Soul Repertory Theatre of Dallas in both stage and film productions. Through Soul Rep, they gain professional, hands-on experience outside of an educational setting. They will also have the chance to learn from Soul Rep’s internationally acclaimed acting coach, Jemal McNeil.

In addition to working with Soul Repertory Theatre, students will have the chance to speak with and learn from other guest artists in professional workshop settings facilitated by Weatherford College.

Productions

Our department produces six to seven shows every year, which includes three in the summer. Students are exposed to a wide range of theatrical genres, which include (but are not limited to) Musical, Classical, Contemporary Theatre and Experimental. They are also given the opportunities to collaborate with other departments within Fine Arts and work with artists/students who practice within other mediums. There are typically 3-4 shows over the course of the Fall and Spring.

The Summer Stage

Our Summer Theatre Program consists of three productions. In collaboration with Martin Musicals, Weatherford College hosts a Musical Theatre Camp. The camp is extended to students ages 11-18 and offers opportunities for both performance and production. Campers will design, build, rehearse and perform a Broadway junior musical over a two-week period in June. In July, we host a children’s show which runs for three weekends in late July/early August. Finally, we produce and perform a Shakespeare play that runs in early August. Our students will have the opportunity to assist the younger campers as technicians in the first production and perform/produce in the latter two.

Filming and Streaming

As we seek out safer ways for audiences to view our productions, the WC Theatre Department has begun exploring the world of filming and online streaming.

Our department has recently begun filming and streaming theatre and music productions, and we are continuing to grow this aspect of production. Students can have the opportunity to learn how to film, acting for film, and video/audio capture.

Technical Theatre Workstudy Program

Theatre students at Weatherford College will also have the opportunity for part-time employment as paid workstudy theatre technicians. Their duties will include assisting with any and all productions in the Alkek Theatre in terms of lighting, sound, video/audio capture, and setup/takedown of the productions. Workstudy technicians will be paid an hourly rate.