Clear, direct, and honest communication
Theatre majors speak of the demands they must make on themselves to "communicate with people, and learn how to listen to others." A junior working on the strong character of St. Joan of Arc for a future production says she values the opportunity "just to be more open and honest, direct and clear." Another theatre major elaborates: "It's being to the point, being specific, learning how to listen to people. You have to listen with your blood on stage. A big part of theatre is being truthful."

More than cast and crew
Principia theatre students learn a real sense of community beyond the valuable fact of ensemble playing on stage. As a senior puts it, "You learn to work together as a unit, a family. You need to pay great attention to detail in whatever you're doing—playing a part, directing, every aspect of stagecraft." A junior who had studied at two other colleges before transferring to Principia speaks of the care and encouragement she is receiving now: "Theatre work challenges me to become stronger as a person, in knowing how to work to achieve a goal, to be more expressive and honest. Prin's Theatre Department is a small, nurturing environment." When the production is finally presented to audiences, this student believes, "you can see how the theatre can really have a healing effect on people, change their lives for the better."

Professionalism . . .
Students and alumni talk about the welcomed focus placed on professionalism by Principia's theatre faculty. A sophomore theatre major was unsure of continuing her study of theatre at Principia, thinking that she needed the scope of a larger theatre program. After spending a summer taking theatre classes in New York, she says she realized that at Principia she had unique opportunities—to play lead and supporting roles, work on the production staff, and even to direct a scene or play. She says her New York teachers and fellow actors recognized the professionalism in her training at Principia. One senior says he appreciates learning the need to respect his craft, and the discipline required to fulfill his obligations to the production, such as being on time for rehearsals and being prepared to participate and move the production forward.

. . . combined with spiritual support
A recent graduate who has had theatre experiences in repertory, opera, soap opera, and musical variety has worked with a broad mixture of theatre people and found the challenge difficult. He recalls the positive experience in working with others who share his interest in Christian Science: "It enables you to see through all the garbage that seems to be thrown at you constantly."

Theatre training at a liberal arts college
"In my first audition for a professional theatre company out of college I got the role. Acting is drawing upon every resource known to you. You draw on everything you possibly can for your acting work, so being at a liberal arts college was a great outlet," declares a theatre alumnus who is now a professional actor. A fellow graduate, now working in Hollywood, says, "Most people don't know the difference between 16th-century or commedia delle Ôarte and modern slapstick. They don't have the training we had at Prin." And, he adds, "once you get the basic skills you can concentrate on what you really want to do—understanding yourself, what your goals are, and how you want to go about getting them. That is what college is about, to me."

Life skills, not just for the stage
"The theatre major challenges you to think and become more creative," a senior remarks, "It makes you more responsible and more professional in your duties, which carries over into everything else you do." Another senior with a double major in mass communication and theatre says that "learning through character-study the way people think, the way people act, how to react, and even how to deal with people in a job situation," will be a key to his job search. An alumnus learned from his theatre experience that a background in the classics of theatre, in which he had the opportunity to take on many roles, prepared him for a variety of professional acting styles and parts. He also found that he learned how to manage his time, noting, "The things you learn at Principia are just absolutely solid gold to your experience."