News Release
Contact
Suki Deen,
Public Relations Associate
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
suki.r.deen@wilmu.edu
Wilmington University Partners with Wilmington Drama League
Monday, September 21, 2009 - New Castle, DE
Erich Carpenter and Thato Dadson act out a scene on the Wilmington Drama League stage as Professor Joel Tau directs them.
This fall Wilmington University will raise the curtain on a new partnership, one that will greatly benefit their students and the community. The University recently announced that it would be partnering with the Wilmington Drama League, one of the oldest non-profit theater organizations in the Delaware Valley, to offer Wilmington University Drama students a chance to rehearse, act and develop their skills on a real stage.
“What a great opportunity for our students,” said Joel Tau, Adjunct Professor of Drama at Wilmington University, “We are among the first in our area to establish a relationship with a community theater and this collaboration opens up a whole new path for our students, not just theatrically but in set design, directing, lighting, and more.”
Beginning this fall, students who are enrolled in any of the five courses that make up the Drama minor at Wilmington University will spend four classes working in the theater. Set designers, lighting and sound designers, as well as actors and stage directors from the Wilmington Drama League will be available to help coach the students and teach them the ropes. As part of their capstone projects in the minor, students will be expected to put on a full play with students acting, directing, and working backstage. This will give students a real taste of the challenges of bringing a play to life.
“On behalf of the Wilmington Drama League, we are excited about working with Wilmington University,” notes Tina Sheing, president of the Wilmington Drama League, “This groundbreaking collaboration represents yet another major milestone in the Drama League’s continuing efforts to provide the communities we serve with the highest quality stage productions, educational opportunities for children and young adults, and community outreach – which are the cornerstones of our core mission.”
Thato Dadson is a graduate of the University’s Television and Studio Production program. While in college he took several drama classes and enjoyed the experience immensely. “I think this is going to be great,” says Dadson, who has been acting since he was a young child, “It gives people like me that full experience that you really need to be a good actor. It’s always great to have a real audience to perform for.”
Erich Carpenter, a Secondary Education student with a minor in Drama and History echoes Thato’s sentiments. “I’m very excited about acting at the Wilmington Drama League,” comments Carpenter, adding that he would like to audition for them in the future. “Before I started at Wilmington University I didn’t know I wanted to be an actor. But when I saw an acting class freshman year I decided to sign up. Ever since then acting has been my dream.”
For more information about the Drama minor at Wilmington University visit http://www.wilmu.edu/itac/itacminors.aspx. To learn more about Wilmington University’s partnership with the Wilmington Drama League, contact Joel Tau. He can be reached at 302-547-8620 or by e-mail at joel.h.tau@wilmu.edu.