Theater, Dance, and Film Studies

Department Head: Jenefer Davies; daviesj@wlu.edu; 540-458-8281

Academic Division: The College

Theater, Dance and Film are essential forms of human expression that celebrate creative collaboration and dynamic engagement with our world. Our department provides an introduction to performance, production, history and literature in order to help students engage with and reflect on the world in which they live. Through the critical study of theater, dance and film, and through the embodied practice of these art forms, students will: analyze a diverse array of performances and texts, develop flexible problem-solving methods, cultivate diverse communication skills, practice collaborative processes, and create art.

The department offers a major in theater and minors in theater, dance, and film and visual culture. The department produces a season of performances drawn from a wide range of periods and styles that engage students in all areas of the performing arts. The performance season includes fully produced main-stage plays, musicals, and dance concerts. Each year the department invites distinguished guest artists including actors, directors, playwrights, choreographers, dancers, designers, filmmakers and theater scholars to share their expertise with students.

HONORS: An Honors Program in Theater is offered for well-qualified majors; see department head for details.

Offerings

Theater, B.A.  

Arts Management minor  

Dance minor  

Film and Visual Culture minor  

Theater minor  

Faculty

First date is the year in which the faculty member began service as regular faculty at the University. Second date is the year of appointment to the present rank.

Owen M. Collins, M.F.A.—(2002)-2016
Professor of Theater
M.F.A., University of South Carolina

Jenefer M. Davies, M.A.L.S., M.F.A.—(2006)-2020
Professor of Dance
M.A.L.S., Hollins University
M.F.A., The George Washington University

Shawn Paul Evans, M.F.A.—(2007)-2019
Professor of Theater
M.F.A., University of Virginia

Jemma Alix Levy, M.A., M.F.A.—(2014)-2020
Associate Professor of Theater
M.A., University of Chicago
M.F.A., Mary Baldwin University in association with the American Shakespeare Center

Stephanie Lynn Sandberg, Ph.D. — (2016)-2024
Associate Professor of Theater
Ph.D. University of California Santa Barbara

Film and Visual Culture Core Faculty

Edward Adams, Ph.D.—(1993)-2012
Professor of English
Ph.D., Yale University

Mayra Cano, Ph.D.—(2024)-2024
Visting Assistant Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame

Shawn Paul Evans, M.F.A.—(2007)-2019
Professor of Theater
M.F.A., University of Virginia

Kevin Finch, M.A.—(2013)-2020
Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication
M.A., University of Illinois-Springfield

Elliott Haigh King, Ph.D.—(2012)-2024
Professor of Art History
Ph.D. University of Essex

Nich Perez, M.F.A.—(2024)-2024
Visiting Assistant Professor of Film and Journalism
M.F.A., University of Southern California

Stephanie Lynn Sandberg, Ph.D.—(2016)-2024
Associate Professor of Theater and Head of the Film and Visual Culture Minor
Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara