Mission & Accreditation

Accreditation 

Western Kentucky University is an accredited institutional member of both the
National Association of Schools of Theatre and National Association of Schools of Dance.

Additionally, Western Kentucky University is one of only 36 institutions in the U.S. to be accredited on all four arts areas: Theatre, Dance, Music, and Art & Design.

 

Department of Theatre & Dance Mission Statement 

The mission of the Department of Theatre & Dance is to develop in students the ability to synthesize knowledge and creativity in performance and production, as well as skills in problem solving, group dynamics, and leadership, all intended to make our graduates viable in the professional fields of theatre and dance and/or other vocational endeavors.

 

Dance Program Mission Statement 

It is the mission of the WKU Dance Program to provide a comprehensive dance education that includes technical training, ample performance and choreographic opportunities, and a cross-disciplinary approach to research and scholarship in order to develop diverse dancers prepared to contribute in all aspects of the ever-evolving field of dance. By integrating dance and general studies, we strive to create Thinking Artists, individuals who work to achieve their highest potential as artists, technicians, and scholars. 

 

Theatre Program Mission Statement

The WKU Theatre Program empowers creative artists to make the world a better, more just, and more beautiful place in which to live, work, and play. We value the individual identities, perspectives, and interests our students bring to hands-on, collaborative training experiences. We are committed to engaging students in deep and critical thinking while developing the skills needed to pursue their unique artistic vision as global citizens.

 

Theatre Program Values

The Theatre program is committed to helping students develop their individual creative voice, sustained excellence, and professional competencies through comprehensive and applied training through performance, design, and scholarly disciplines that comprise the art form.  

We are guided by the principle that “Art is a reflection of the time it is made” and it is essential to create opportunities for our students to make art that is meaningful to them, the department, WKU, and the community. We engage students in a pedagogy that teaches theatre in the context of the wider world and supported by exposure to diverse cultural performance traditions.  

We believe that as theatre is drawn from the human experience, intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning are as important as artistic practice in preparing students to enter society as artists, educators, and future leaders in the arts. 

The study of theatre enriches a Liberal Arts education by providing practice in verbal written and physical communication, providing opportunities for students to engage in analytical reason, critical and logical thinking forming independent and justifiable conclusions, enabling students to analyze and apply ethical and value judgments in the study of material focused on human excellence and failures. 

We are committed to supporting the mission statement of PCAL and the mission Statement of the Department of Theatre & Dance. In addition to the Theatre program is committed to: 

• Providing opportunities for students to apply skills learned in the classroom in practice on productions. 
• Providing opportunities for students to engage with the community through art and service. 
• Creating and promoting Equity Diversity and Inclusion through anti-racist, and anti-discrimination practices in all our learning and artistic spaces and endeavors.  
• Exposing students to the multiple applications and career paths in the performing arts. 
• Helping students develop an appreciation of knowledge outside their artistic practice and recognize how multi-disciplinary understanding serves the artist.
• Supporting students in academic achievement.