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Show ' 6 CAMPUS FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM KlWIi of Dorothann Dinas Staff Reporter This year the theatre and music programs were added as majors to the School of Arts and Sciences. Before Fall 2011 these new majors were only available as minors. Theatre professor Michael Vought described the theatre major as gang-bustin- g. Its fast and growing. The question is will there be enough faculty to keep up with the major. Music professor Karlyn Bond said the theatre and music programs became majors because current and prospective students showed a steadily increasing interest in both programs over the course of several years. In 2008 the administra- tion strongly encouraged both programs to submit major proposals because of the many music and theatre successes on campus. The faculty for the theatre program includes Michael and Nina Vought, Jared Larkin, Ashley Carlson and Spencer Brown, who is the technical director. Michael Vought has directed many of the plays on campus. His favorite part of teaching is directing. Freshman Michael is a theatre major. I like the intimacy of how Ca-laci- no small and close everything is. It feels collaborative, he said. Calacino has been the lead actor in many of the plays at Westminster College, ranging from Victor Victoria to Rumors, which will begin in March. When he was in high school, he was also the lead actor in Hamlet, The Wizard of Oz and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Calacinos favorite classes the newest classes available is the Opera Studio, which is one of Chipmans favorite classes to teach. But what he likes most is helping stu- he has taken so far are Actdents find their voice. ing I and II. He thought The music program facthey were phenomenal. But his main interest in the theulty includes Chris Quinn, Karlyn Bond, Michael atre program is stage manChipman and a group of agement. It is something he hasnt done yet and it will be teachers who offer private lessons for a variety of ina new experience. He feels struments along with vocal he has found what he likes music. to do. However, according to The music program is at both Chipman and Michael the beginning of an exciting period of growth. Music professor Mi"I like the intimacy chael Chipman said, how small and Its pulsing with of dose energy! There are now close to 20 students enrolled in the major as well as four new courses online. One of everything is. It feels collaborative' -- Michael Calacino Theatre major Vought, in theatre and music it is difficult to make a career, especially in this economy. Students who pursue a theatre major often go to graduate school in medicine or law because graduate programs prefer a variety of majors rather than just biology, chemistry, physics or programs. Other times they might go into acting. In the music program a lot of students go to graduate school then audition for national or local orchestras, the professors said. Both the theatre and music majors are housed in the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts and Emma Ecdes Jones nal pre-professio- |