The department of theatre at Hope College has received a five-year renewal of its  accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

          The department first became accredited in April of
  1991.  Hope is the only private, four-year liberal arts
  college in the country to be accredited in all four of its
  arts programs:  art, dance, music and theatre.
          The college's department of theatre was founded in
  1968, having formerly existed as a division of the Speech
  Department.
          The department stages four major productions each
  year, in addition to an array of student-directed, one-act
  plays.  The "main stage" productions during the 1998-99
  school year were "Fiddler on the Roof," "The Metamorphosis,"
  "The Winter's Tale" and "Off the Map."  Students and faculty
  also often join the cast and crew of the Hope Summer
  Repertory Theatre, established in 1972, which presents
  musicals, comedies and dramas.
          A total of 17 students are currently majoring in
  theatre.  Graduates of the program pursue careers such as
  freelance acting, directing or design; elementary, secondary
  or university teaching; serving as members of resident
  companies; and furthering their study in graduate school.