<p>i noticed the "arts" thread but couldnt find any info on theatre at swat. i realize that kids go there more for the excellent general liberal arts education, but im really into drama and havent been able to find out anything on that subject. i know the major is uber-small (i plan on prolly minoring in theatre) but it also produced the folks who went on the create the (rumor has it) awesome pig iron theatre company in philly. any thoughts or info you could pass along to me?</p>
<p>Here's the link to a description of the theater department at Swarthmore. It sounds like they have a definite philosophy centered around small scale studio productions for credit. Not being a theater guy, I don't know whether this is good or bad!</p>
<p>BTW, eight theater majors/minors per year is a pretty decent sized department for Swarthmore.</p>
<p>BTW, a Swat alum did start Pig Iron and they have hired more than a dozen Swat alum, according to the article above.</p>
<p>thanks interesteddad. and i guess i didnt think about it like that-- 8 out of about 850 kids is a lot bigger than it seems at first. and in my opinion, small-scale shows rock-- they keep egos in check (important in the performing arts world) and make for a closer audience-actor interaction. i saw their facilities when i visited last year, but didnt get a chance to talk to any students or faculty. i was too nervous, actually.</p>
<p>Actually, it's 8 out of about 350 graduating seniors.</p>
<p>I would think that small-scale studio productions would probably be the way to go for a lot of kids interested in drama as part of a liberal arts education. </p>
<p>Of course, I can also see a place for the kind of large scale productions at a school with more emphasis on theater.
Williams would be a similar school that has a much larger theater department and stages more large scale productions.</p>
<p>I guess it all depends on what you are looking for and the relative importance you put on drama versus other stuff.</p>
<p>BTW, being too scared to ask is perfectly normal! But, I wouldn't be shy. Pick a drama professor at Swat and start e-mailing. They won't bite your head off. Digest everything on their website and similar information from other schools you might be interested in and ask the profs about the pluses and minues of what they do at Swat versus the other programs. I think they'll give you honest answers.</p>
<p>I go to Bryn Mawr which is nearby, and I took both the introductory theater class and the directing class at Swarthmore. It was an excellent experience and well worth the time and tuition. The professors were great. I think the department is outstanding, and had I gone to Swat I imagine I would have majored in the department rather than going the Classics route as I am now. I'd definitely recommend Swat if you're into theater.</p>