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Theatre program receives accreditation
April 25, 2003
CARROLLTON, GA - The Theatre Program at the University of West Georgia was accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) on April 10. It is now one of only five theatre programs in Georgia to receive NAST accreditation.
“Achieving accreditation ensures that the theatre curriculum, both in the classroom and in the rehearsal room, meets the highest national standard that is set by NAST,” said Shelly Elman, director of theatre.
Dr. Thomas J. Hynes, vice president for academic affairs, stated, “The receipt of accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre is yet another manifestation of the quality of academic programs at UWG. As a result of the fine work of our colleagues, we have virtually completed the number of free-standing programs that can receive accreditation from appropriate national accrediting agencies — and accreditation provides a benchmark of learning by our faculty and students of which the University is appropriately proud. And, of course, we are all grateful to our colleagues for the hard work that made this accreditation possible.”
The arduous process leading to accreditation provided theatre faculty the opportunity to critically focus upon and reevaluate academic curriculum, policies and training methods, said Dr. Amy Cuomo, theatre instructor, who added that the self-study provided a useful tool from which to build an exceptional program.
The visitors’ report stated, “The Visitation Team was impressed by the Theatre faculty’s commitment to the planning and development of the program. They have an awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing the program in both the short and long term.”
The achievement of accreditation was aided by the recent renovation of the Martha Munro Building to serve as the Theatre Program’s new home starting sometime in summer 2003. The facility will provide students access to state-of-the-art computer-aided design technology as well as lighting, sound and acting labs.
According to Alan Yeong, assistant professor of theatre, the NAST accreditors were also impressed with the collegial nature of the faculty and students.
Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, University president, who acted in the fall 2002 UWG theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest as the butler, Lane, says that he experienced firsthand the collegial interaction of faculty and students, and enjoyed being part of the play. He said that when the accreditation team came to visit him in his office, “I made sure they sat right next to my poster of The Importance of Being Earnest with all the student actors’ signatures!”
On a more serious note, he added, “I am very proud of the NAST accreditation and congratulate the theatre faculty and students on this well-deserved national recognition. They earned it with their hard work and their superior performance.”
Tommy Cox, assistant professor of theatre, said the program’s goals for the future are to continue to recruit majors and to maintain the high standards of excellence that have led to accreditation.
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