Any solid college or university faculty is characterized by teahers who remain current in their fields through ongoining research, writing, creative work and other professionally related endeavors. What distinguishes Dickinson's faculty is the degree to which this activity is shared with students through faculty lead projects which often involve students as key members of the research team. Of course theatre and dance has been characterized by close student/faculty interaction since their arrival on college campuses, with students and faculty spending long hours in the theatre preparing productions for public presentation. At Dickinson, this collaborative tradition has expanded to include creative work beyond the confines of the campus or the academic year. Our faculty is professionally active and engaged, and students frequently become a part of this work through internship and assistantship opportunitites. As this is being written, plans are underway for students to work alongside faculty on three professional projects through the summer, one assisting Sherry Harper-McCombs in the design and execution of costumes for the Greenbriar Valley Theatre's season in Virginia, another working as production assistant under Karen Kirkham's supervision at New York's Pendragon Theatre and a third assisting Todd Wronski in preparing a performance for revival and tour to California. Many other summers have seen comparable opportunities for studentss to obtain professional credentials and experience that grows from and complements their on-campus production work.
Student Intern Sara Bookin-Weiner (center) with Professor Todd Wronski (right) and other company members on the set of Dickens and Twain: Crossing the Pond in Einburgh, Scotland
Student Intern Ellen Joffred '07, along with director Karen Kirkham at the opening of Angesl in America at the Pendragon Theatre in Saragnac Lake, New York. Also in the production company were alums Sophia Bushong '98, Nora Turnham '05 and Associate Professor of Music Robert Pound.
Student Intern; Megan Nussle stage managed Professor Todd Wronski's performance of William Saroyan at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts Theatre and for a series of anniversary performances in Saroyan's hometown of Fresno, California in September 2008.