The Arizona Board of Regents approved the creation of the College of Fine Arts’ new School of Theatre, Film and Television at its March 11, 2010, meeting. The new School, which merges the Schools of Theatre Arts and Media Arts into a single entity, becomes effective July 1, 2010. Overwhelmingly supported by faculties in both schools, the merger capitalizes on the increasing global convergence of the disciplines of theatre, film, television and digital media. At the same time, merging the administrative functions of the two schools responds proactively to the significant budget cuts sustained by The University of Arizona.
College of Fine Arts Dean Jory Hancock says, “In light of the convergent entertainment industry of the 21st century, it makes sense for the University of Arizona to have a single professional school that integrates the theoretical and hands-on study of theatre, film, and television. This approach will provide the best possible education for our students, and will create exciting choices for Arizona residents as well as for those students we recruit nationally. "The current director of The University of Arizona School of Theatre Arts, Bruce Brockman, will serve as Director of the single professional School of Theatre, Film and Television. Brockman says, “Both schools are committed to training professionals for the arts and entertainment industry and a merger provides an opportunity to create a vital and forward-looking school.”
The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film and Television will capitalize on the already established partnerships with a wide variety of industry entities that provide University of Arizona students with internships and other career development opportunities. Prominent University of Arizona alumni working in the fields of theatre, film and television in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and regional theatres around the country will continue to provide and build support for the School through classroom visits, workshops and mentoring. The newly formed School will also be enhanced by The University of Arizona Hanson Film Institute, which enjoys close working relationships with nationally and internationally-based film and television entities and shares an Industry Council with the current School of Media Arts.
John Kilkenny, Executive Vice President at Twentieth Century Fox (Visual Effects executive for Avatar) and University of Arizona alumnus, says, “With the School of Theatre, Film and Television, The University of Arizona can prepare graduates to be innovative leaders in the ever evolving and integrative arts and entertainment industry. I am delighted to continue providing my advice and support to University of Arizona faculty, students and alumni through the new school.”
Theatre and Media Arts students have a history of collaborating on various projects within the two schools, and the new school will build on these and other commonalities. Both the School of Theatre Arts and the School of Media Arts have been focused on narrative storytelling, mediated through film, television or live performance. In the new school, acting students and film students will have additional opportunities to work together.
While current areas of strength include BFA programs in Acting and Musical Theatre, Design Technology, and Film & Video Production, and a unique undergraduate BA in Film & Television Producing, the new school will be able to offer students substantially increased coursework in sound, lighting and production design. Arizona Repertory Theatre will continue to provide a professional theatre production program for the students in the new school, and courses in scriptwriting and production management will now serve both populations of students. Degree offerings in Entertainment Business, Production Design and a certificate program in Visual Effects Producing, currently in development, will utilize the newly combined faculties.
The new School of Theatre, Film and Television will combine the strengths of the current Schools of Theatre Arts and Media Arts and recognize the ongoing convergence of the performing arts and the entertainment industry. As the lines between art forms continue to blur, combining the schools will enable us to offer a collaborative, multi-faceted curriculum that prepares our students for the future in powerful, impactful ways.
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