The departmental handbook is intended to be a quick resource to help you find important information pertaining to your study of theatre at Belhaven, both in the classroom and in productions. All theatre majors and minors are encouraged to read through the handbook and are responsible for knowing and understanding the policies and procedures identified herein. All theatre majors and minors are expected to regularly check their Belhaven email or arrange for their Belhaven email to be forwarded to an email account of their choice. All official department communication with theatre majors and minors will be done via email. A Theatre Department Canvas page is accessible by all students in the department. Departmental forms, handbooks, and calendars can be accessed on this Canvas page. Additionally, announcements and discussions within the Canvas page may be utilized for departmental communications. Theatre majors and minors are encouraged to stay up to date with the Canvas page. TABLE OF CONTENTS DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW 7 Mission Statements . 8 Belhaven University Theatre Department Accreditation and Memberships . 9 Departmental Goals . 10 Theatre Faculty and Staff . 11 Academic Organizational Chart . 12 Theatre Ambassadors . 13 How to Deal with Questions and Concerns . 14 Classroom-Related Concerns Production-Related Concerns Title IX Concerns Physical Contact . 15 University and Departmental Forms . 16 Academic Forms Departmental Forms Performance and Production Work Outside of the Department . 17 ACADEMIC INFORMATION 18 Degree Requirements and Course Offering . 19 Academic Grievances Admission to the Department . 20 B.A. in Theatre B.A. in Theatre (Performance Emphasis) B.A. in Theatre (Production Emphasis) Student Learning Competencies . 22 Core Learning Competencies for All Theatre Students Competencies for B.A. in Theatre (Performance emphasis) Competencies for B.A. in Theatre (Production emphasis) Competencies for B.A. in Theatre (no emphasis) Theatre Seminar . 23 4 Theatre Juries . 24 The Purpose of Juries The Format of Juries Senior Showcases and Projects . 27 Senior Showcases (for B.F.A. students who are using 2017-2019 catalog years) Senior Projects (for students using the new curriculum) Recommended Reading List . 28 PRODUCTION POLICIES 31 The Production Season . 32 Season Selection . 32 Auditions . 33 Audition Schedule Audition Requirements Callbacks Casting Policy . 35 Typical Production Schedule . 35 Rehearsals . 36 Safe Practices: Movement, Fight Choreography, & Intimacy . 37 Theatre Practicum . 38 Theatre Practicum Assignment Job Descriptions . 38 Tech Week . 39 Paper Tech Dry Tech Technical Rehearsal (10 out of 12) First Dress Rehearsal Final Dress Rehearsal Additional Rules for Tech Week and Performances Photo Call . 41 Box Office Policy . 42 Social Media Policy . 43 Share Away! Keep It Positive Photos, Videos, etc. Production Strike . 44 5 CARING FOR HEART, MIND, SOUL & BODY 45 General Suggestions for a Healthy Life in Theatre . 46 Healthcare Information . 47 Counseling Services . 48 Academic Support . 48 Safety Guidelines . 48 First Aid Stations . 49 In Case of an Injury . 49 Drug and Alcohol Policy . 50 Drugs and Narcotics Alcohol Tobacco FACILITIES 51 The Center for the Arts . 52 Faculty and Staff Offices The Fishbowl Classrooms and Work Spaces Shops The BlackBox Theatre Student Lockers Faculty and Staff Offices Barber Theatre . 59 ADDENDUM 60 Fall 2021Covid Safety Procedures . 61 6 DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW 7 MISSION STATEMENTS BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY Belhaven University prepares students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas. THEATRE DEPARTMENT It is the mission of the Belhaven University Theatre Department to prepare students academically, technically, artistically, and spiritually to serve their Community, their Collaborators, and their Creator in the world of theatre and related vocations. THESE SHINING LIVES - FALL 2018 8 ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIPS Belhaven University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master degrees. Belhaven University is one of 36 institutions accredited in all four of the major arts – music, dance, theater and visual arts. The Department of Theatre is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The Belhaven University Theatre Department and/or faculty is a member of the following organizations: • Southeastern Theatre Conference • Christians in Theatre Arts • Mississippi Theatre Association • Theatre Communications Group 9 DEPARTMENTAL GOALS The Theatre Department at Belhaven University strives to accomplish the following goals: 1. To provide opportunities for participation in course work and production for majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. 2. To provide an engaging forum for discourse on the Belhaven campus through the staging of plays and musicals. 3. To foster interdisciplinary arts participation, making Belhaven a distinctive experience in arts education in a Christian context. 4. To cultivate an increased sense of the professionalism and self-discipline required of all theatre artists. 5. To provide introductory exposure in theatre arts to students from other departments on campus. WHITE CHRISTMAS - FALL 2018 10 THEATRE FACULTY AND STAFF DR. ELISSA SARTWELL, Department Chair and Professor of Theatre Ph.D., Louisiana State University M.A.T., B.A., George Fox University Courses Taught: Acting 2, Script Analysis, Selected Topics in Acting, Scriptwriting, Acting Studio, Directing, History & Literature of Theatre, Dramaturgy JAKE YENISH, Assistant Professor of Theatre Design & Production M.F.A., Minnesota State University at Mankato B.A., A.A. Bethany Lutheran College Courses Taught: Stagecraft, Stage Management, Perspectives in Theatre, Lighting Design, Theatre Design 2, Scenic Design RUTH DENTEL, Assistant Professor of Theatre M.F.A, University of Virginia B.A., Liberty University Courses Taught: Makeup for the Stage, Costume Design, Costume Construction, Intro to Design, Design 2, Acting 1 MELINDA PIERCE, Administrative Assistant B.S., Mississippi College ADJUNCTS AND GUEST ARTISTS FOR 2021-2022 JOHN BARNTS, Accompanist for THE 333 Acting in Musical Theatre and Wizard of Oz CHRISSY HRIVNAK, Acting in Musical Theatre BEN KAHRE, Fight Director for Two Gentlemen of Verona ALBERTO MEZA, Sound Designer Wizard of Oz 11 HYPERLINK TO THIS PAGE 12 THEATRE AMBASSADORS Each year, a team of seven (7) students serves as “Theatre Ambassadors.” Theatre Ambassadors are selected as follows: • The theatre faculty select 4 students to be Ambassadors • APO elects a member of their organization to be the APO Ambassador • Theatre majors elect 2 Ambassadors in a vote held within the first two weeks of the fall semester • The Ambassadors serve a one year term We use the term “Ambassador” because our Theatre Ambassadors function as representatives in a couple different ways. The Ambassadors represent the department to prospective students and outside groups. The Ambassadors also act as representatives for the larger group of theatre students; Theatre Ambassadors provide a voice for theatre students, especially in the season selection process. Theatre Ambassadors help with recruiting new students by leading tours of the department and by communicating with prospective students. At times, Theatre Ambassadors travel to area high schools to watch and provide feedback on productions. In addition to these outreach responsibilities, Theatre Ambassadors have the privilege of participating in the department’s season planning process. Ambassadors who do not fulfill their responsibilities may be replaced by the faculty. EZEKIEL - FALL 2018 13 HOW TO DEAL WITH QUESTIONS & CONCERNS When a difficulty or concern arises, we encourage you to talk with the appropriate student, faculty member, or administrator immediately. Please refer to the Academic Organizational Chart for guidance on the chain of command. Try to assess the situation or difficulty and be straightforward and honest with the other party or parties. Strive to maintain a Christ-like attitude in your difficulty and avoid spreading rumors or disparaging other people. Refer to Matthew 18:15-17 for the biblical model of reconciliation. CLASSROOM- RELATED CONCERNS If the difficulty concerns a class, speak first with your professor. If that discussion is not satisfactory, you should share your concern with the chair of the department, Dr. Elissa Sartwell. PRODUCTION- RELATED CONCERNS If the question, concern, or difficulty concerns a production, first try discussing your concern or question with the person most directly related to the problem. If you still have difficulties, please proceed as follows, adhering to the order listed: ACTORS: 1. Speak to the stage manager 2. If still unresolved, speak to the director of the production 3. If still unresolved, speak to the chair of the theatre department, Dr. Elissa Sartwell. SHOP WORKERS: 1. Speak to the appropriate shop manager 2. If still unresolved, speak to one of the department’s production faculty: Ruth Dentel or Jake Yenish. 3. If still unresolved, speak to the chair of the theatre department, Dr. Elissa Sartwell. CREW: 1. Speak to the stage manager 2. If still unresolved, speak to the department’s production manager, Jake Yenish. 3. If still unresolved, speak to the chair of the theatre department, Dr. Elissa Sartwell. TITLE IX CONCERNS Concerns related to bullying, physical,