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.