Why Study Theatre and Communication at The College of Idaho?
Students are actively involved in making theatre at The College of Idaho by participating in mainstage productions ranging from Shakespeare to contemporary plays to musical theatre. Scarlet Masque, a student theatre organization on campus, provides additional opportunities to hone your theatrical skills. Our comprehensive curriculum includes classes in acting, stagecraft, directing, theatre history, stage makeup, stage combat, and applied theatre (lighting, costuming, and scenery practicum) as well as in public speaking, debate, and oral argumentation. All the while, you’ll receive individual mentoring from professors who work professionally as actors, directors, and theatrical designers.
We approach the study of communication by placing culture at the center and seeking to explore how to develop skills that will serve students throughout their lives. Written, oral, visual, and digital communication all work together in complex and shifting ways to build our social worlds - and as a student of communication, you will learn to look at the world using multiple lenses in order to be able to more closely listen, understand, and advocate. Students of communication also have the opportunity to take their skills and put them into use immediately, as part of their every-day lives, but also in more applied and specialized contexts, like working for the student newspaper or engaging in intercollegiate debate tournaments with the award-winning Howling Yotes.
Career Opportunities for Theatre Majors and Minors
A major or minor in Theatre or Communications prepares students for graduate study, a variety of professional theatre and performing arts occupations, or work in the many other fields that use the strong communication skills developed by study in these disciplines. Our graduates have gone on to perform with the Blue Man Group, serve as stage managers on Broadway and work as professional actors, directors, scenic artists, and costumers in numerous theatres across the country.
Performance Venues
Campus facilities include a 145-seat black box theatre that serves as the primary playing space for mainstage productions and classroom work, a 200-seat recital hall where musicals and operas are staged, an 850-seat proscenium house, a smaller student-stage, and an outdoor amphitheater. College of Idaho theatre graduates participate annually in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival.
Student Performances
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The Howling 'Yotes Speech and Debate Team
Speech and Debate at The College of Idaho has a long history, stretching back at least to 1912, when the First President of the College, Dr. William Boone mentioned debate team victories in his journals. This tradition of excellence continues into the present day, where the College of Idaho Howling 'Yotes has ranked in the Top 20 nationally every year since 2013 and took home a 5th place individual finish in 2016. More information on the C of I debate team can be found here.
Scholarship Opportunities
Theatre Students seeking a Theatre scholarship may submit materials or audition in acting or design and technical. More information applying for Theatre scholarships can be found here.
The Hayman/Schwiebert Debate scholarship is offered to motivated, self-directed learners who are excited to participate in an educationally supportive community. Award amounts vary depending on the experiences, achievement, and potential of the applicant—but students with all experience levels are encouraged to apply (including those with experiences in events like FFA, FBLA, IB programs, Mock Court, Model UN, and other public speaking or political engagements). To complete a scholarship application, please visit: http://bit.ly/thehowlingyotes