Theatre at Wayne State College is open to all students who have an interest in not only acting, but also directing, lighting, script writing, costume and set design, and all aspects that go into production.
Any student at WSC can participate in theatre - in fact, we welcome it. Several of the students involved with our productions are not studying theatre but still want to be involved in performing or technical theatre. Our audition process is open to all students of any experience level. If a student simply wants to help out and make new connections, we always have a set piece to build and paint and are happy to see a new face.
Annual Performances
Wayne State College offers fall and spring productions each year. In the fall, an annual performance is in the Black Box theatre. In the spring, the annual children's play entertains hundreds of area young elementary-school children in Ramsey Theatre. Recent productions include The Jungle Book, The Secret in the Wings, Alice in Wonderland, Wiley and the Hairy Man, and The Inspector General.
Recently, we have added additional types of plays in the season rotations for further training and experience for students. These include Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Frankenstein.
Production Involvement
Students at WSC have opportunities to be involved in all aspects of theatre, and many have had lead roles in their freshman year. Involvement includes acting in our productions, stage managing, assistant directing, building and painting the set, hanging lights, running the light and sound board, and working on running crew. Additionally, through our courses, students also learn the technique involved in these aspects, as well as how to direct and design. We are currently offering more opportunities for students to perform these leadership roles during our Student One Acts, which is done in connection with our directing and stagecraft courses.
We are continuing to diversify opportunities to create and make theatre at WSC. This includes giving students more chances to direct and design. It also includes broadening the types of plays we do from contemporary to classic theatre, realism to the more experimental, and from plays to musicals.
Equipment
The Black Box theatre has new seating, platforms, curtains, and lighting equipment. We have also added new LED lighting instruments, a new control console, audio-visual equipment, and stock acting props.