2008 Woodie Awards
The evolution of Theater & Dance
Catherine Klene
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: 50th Anniversary Special Edition
Sweezey said the three departments have a great relationship, with many students in one department active in another.
"We're reflecting off each other's energies," Sweezey said.
Although Sweezey admitted it would be nice for the Theater and Dance Department to have their own building, he said the three departments harmonize well together.
"On one hand, it'd be nice to have three different buildings and have more space," he said. "On the other side … it's a good experience to see what other students are doing."
Dance professor Kerry Shaul began teaching in 1976 and has seen the dance program grow from one or two professors to the five or six it has now, and she also continues to see improvement in students.
"I think that the quality of the students is getting better and better," Shaul said.
The dance department enhances students' academic lives, Shaul said, by exposing them to a different art form of bodily expression.
"This is another way students can be in touch with ideas that are brought to life through movement," she said.
Shaul said the dance department provides students with many chances to perform and choreograph throughout the year, as well as bringing in guest artists, faculty dance concerts and student organizations such as the United Dance Organization.
"We're proud of the fact that we offer our students a lot of performing opportunities," Shaul said.
Sweezey said the audience has evolved over time as well. When the Student Affairs began providing complementary tickets to students, he saw the audience evolve from Edwardsville residents to a much more student dominated body.
"It's a great educational asset to our university and has made a difference in our audience being a dominant student audience," Sweezey said.
Sweezey said the Department of Theater and Dance plays a vital role in SIUE students' liberal arts educations. The plays and performances throughout the year expose a student to different artistic forms and different means of cultural expression.
"We're reflecting off each other's energies," Sweezey said.
Although Sweezey admitted it would be nice for the Theater and Dance Department to have their own building, he said the three departments harmonize well together.
"On one hand, it'd be nice to have three different buildings and have more space," he said. "On the other side … it's a good experience to see what other students are doing."
Dance professor Kerry Shaul began teaching in 1976 and has seen the dance program grow from one or two professors to the five or six it has now, and she also continues to see improvement in students.
"I think that the quality of the students is getting better and better," Shaul said.
The dance department enhances students' academic lives, Shaul said, by exposing them to a different art form of bodily expression.
"This is another way students can be in touch with ideas that are brought to life through movement," she said.
Shaul said the dance department provides students with many chances to perform and choreograph throughout the year, as well as bringing in guest artists, faculty dance concerts and student organizations such as the United Dance Organization.
"We're proud of the fact that we offer our students a lot of performing opportunities," Shaul said.
Sweezey said the audience has evolved over time as well. When the Student Affairs began providing complementary tickets to students, he saw the audience evolve from Edwardsville residents to a much more student dominated body.
"It's a great educational asset to our university and has made a difference in our audience being a dominant student audience," Sweezey said.
Sweezey said the Department of Theater and Dance plays a vital role in SIUE students' liberal arts educations. The plays and performances throughout the year expose a student to different artistic forms and different means of cultural expression.
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