News
Centre Stage Celebrates 20 Years
Pennsylvania Centre Stage, the professional arm of the School of Theatre, celebrated its 20th anniversary during its 2005 summer season. In honor of the occasion, here are some “fun facts” about the theatre company.
Since 1985, Pennsylvania Centre Stage has …
- Presented 76 plays including 1,203 actors
- Spent 380 weeks building props and sets
- Hung 22,800 lights
- Burned out 1,520 lights
- Printed 1,596 pages of playbills
Did you know?
- The power used in a typical Centre Stage performance could power a house for more than six months
- Prop budget per show = $1,000–$2,500
- Scene budget per show = $2,500–$1,2000
- Three people are required to tailor/adjust each actor’s costume
- On average, 40–60 hours are required to build a single costume, such as a woman’s dress
- Centre Stage has an inventory of nearly 2,000 pairs of shoes and more than 800 lights
New Major in Musical Theatre
The Penn State Board of Trustees recently approved the creation of a new major in musical theatre, reflecting greater specificity in the musical theatre program.
For the past 10 years, the school offered an emphasis in musical theatre, with students receiving a bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.) degree in theatre. With its continued growth and development, the program has blossomed to the point where quality faculty are in place to create the new major. Graduates of the new program will receive a B.F.A. in musical theatre.
“This new degree better describes the educational program for these young professionals,” said Richard Durst, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture. “If we are to be competitive in recruiting the best students, we must provide the type of training that will enable them to step above the students from other programs.”
Penn State’s musical theatre program is one of the most selective in the country. Last year, less than 4 percent of applicants were accepted. Students in the program have represented the University through performances in all parts of the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London and Tokyo.
Since 2000, graduating musical theatre students have performed in a senior showcase in New York City, where they have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents to industry professionals. “It was clear from the showcase [in May 2005] that our students are not only receiving wonderful training and education, but also the intangible benefits that come from representing the University around the world,” said Dan Carter, director of the School of Theatre. He calls the creation of the new major a “landmark occurrence, recognizing the development and maturity that the program has reached.”
Symphonic Wind Ensemble Performs at Prestigious International Festival
