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Academic Spotlight

Theatre

  • Students can audition and interview for our production season during their first week on campus.
  • Freshmen can be cast and have the opportunity to design in their first semester, whether they are a major or minor in our program.
  • We produce 12-15 fully realized productions each year, giving students numerous opportunities to practice their craft.
  • Special topics classes are offered each semester, focusing on contemporary practices in the field and often supporting current productions. Examples include Puppet Design/Building, Theatrical Dyeing, Costume Crafting, Theatrical Photography, and Automation.
  • We host guest artists annually, featuring workshops such as DUMELA Alumni Council Workshop, Chicago Artists Workshop, Dance Workshops, Combat/Movement Workshops, Theatrical Intimacy Workshops, Shakespeare Workshops, Auditioning Workshops, Technical Theatre Workshops, and Design Workshops.

More about Theatre

WIU Earns Spot on Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll

We are thrilled to be named to the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll. WIU continues to be a great destination for transfer students and we will continue to focus on and provide excellent support to our transfer students.

— Doug Freed, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Services

Read more about the Honor Roll

Autism Center of Excellence Earns Tracy Family Foundation Grant

I'm grateful for WIU's vision and leadership to meet a vital need for autism assessment in west central Illinois. They have jumped at the opportunity to improve early autism identification and to positively impact students in our region.

— Terry Jenkins, mental health program manger, Tracy Family Foundation

Read more about the grant

Center for Performing Arts Named in Honor of Former WIU President Alvin Goldfarb

Dr. Goldfarb left an indelible mark on Macomb and Western. Beyond his art, beyond his leadership, and beyond his courage and determination, it is his passion and dedication to his students, and the people around him, that makes him exceptional. Humanity, empathy and the will to get it done; that's what went into his vision for then the performing arts center and now the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts.

—Billy Clow, Dean, College of Fine Arts and Communication

Catch up on the construction progress