The Department of Theatre and Cinema serves 澳门老奇人论坛, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through its comprehensive theatre curriculum and production programs. Deeply committed to teaching and learning, the department nurtures the development of creative, well-rounded theatre artists able to work individually and collaboratively to solve problems, build community and meet the challenges of a diverse world.
In 2023, the Department of Theatre and Cinema completed a 26 page history of the department written by Professor Emeritus Chuck Hayes with additions and edits by Kathleen Harshberger ('80), former Chair Carl Lefko and current Chair Rich Dunham. The overview records and highlights important figures, changes and events from the early 1900s to the present.
Our students, patrons and faculty have one thing in common 鈥 a passion for the arts! Our faculty represent professional theatre and cinema artists who offer a variety of experiences that provide our students with tools and training that will help prepare them for further studies in graduate school or entering the entertainment industry. Whether onstage or backstage, students receive opportunities to not only participate in our productions but to even take on leadership roles as designers and directors once completing the appropriate courses. Opportunities exist to further your exposure to theatre whether you鈥檙e a major, minor, or simply have an ongoing interest in attending theatre.
This season promises to be an exciting season as we move into our new home in the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity (ACAIC). Though there will still be punch lists and challenges associated with learning all of the opportunities that our new theatres, shops and studios will bring, various contractors have reached the final steps in the construction process while other teams are moving our offices and studios into our new spaces. All of this will be accomplished by the start of the Fall 2024 semester so that our classes and productions can take place in this new state-of-art facility along with the rest of CVPA.
We invite all (majors/minors and nonmajors) to explore our classes, production opportunities, guest artist programs, scholarships, and stimulating/thought-provoking season productions. Everyone can play a part in the powerful, insightful world of theatre and cinema 鈥 even if only from the perspective of becoming an informed audience member. Join us to find your role and passion for the performing arts.
Richard E. Dunham
Chair/Artistic Director
Department of Theatre and Cinema
Students in the Department of Theatre and Cinema at 澳门老奇人论坛 study and work in modern, state-of-the-art facilities comparable to many professional theatres throughout the country. Our new building (ARTIS CENTER) is coming online for the Fall 2024 semester, and we are extremely excited about all of the possibilities that this facility will provide to us. The new proscenium theatre houses a full fly system, orchestra lift, computerized lighting and sound systems, projection equipment and a variety of LED and moving light fixtures. Productions are supported by a well-equipped costume studio and an adjoining scenic/paint studio that includes equipment for working in traditional wood and fabric materials as well as metal. Other performance venues include a blackbox, shared studio theatre and performance hub along with an acting and design studio (equipped for traditional and CAD designing) as well as additional support spaces.
When possible the Department of Theatre welcomes theatre and film artists to participate in our productions, classes and feature events. These guests鈥攁ctors, directors, musicians, designers鈥攁ll working at the top of their craft, are a window to the professional entertainment world. They inspire our students and invigorate our programs by sharing their vast experience and imparting fresh insights. Among those who have visited over the years鈥擡ileen Heckart, John Amos, Bridget Hanley, Conrad John Schuck and Sally Struthers.
Rafael Untalan
Rafael Untalan is a D.C.-based actor, and member of Actor鈥檚 Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.
He has been seen onstage at a variety of professional theaters across the country,
including Virginia Repertory Theatre,Arena Stage, Cleveland Play House, Theater J, Cincinnati
Playhouse in the Park, Portland Center Stage, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival and
the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he was a company member. Rafael was also part of
the 2013 Helen Hayes Award winning ensemble of Anime Momotaro at Imagination Stage.
He holds an M.F.A. in Classical Acting from the Shakespeare Theatre Company鈥檚Academy
for Classical Acting at the George Washington University.
Robb Hunter
Robb Hunter (Fight Director and proud alumnus of 澳门老奇人论坛, class of 鈥91)
Is a Fight Director and Movement Choreographer based in the Washington DC metro area.
He is a member of SDC, AEA and SAG/AFTRA and is a Certified Teacher, Fight Director
and Theatrical Firearms Instructor for the Society of American Fight Directors. He
is currently the Combat Instructor for The Shakespeare Theatre鈥檚 MFA program (The
Academy for Classical Acting), Fight Choreographer in Residence at American University
and a member of the MFA faculty at The Catholic University of America. While in New
York City he was fortunate enough to have spent three years working closely with Michael
J. Fox, including several 鈥榯hrills and spills鈥 as his stunt double. As the founder
of the theatrical prop weapon company, Preferred Arms, Inc., he literally faces each
day, 鈥榮word in hand.鈥
Barry Ratcliffe
Barry Ratcliffe actor, producer, and motivational speaker recently shared his film
鈥淒orothy and the Witches of Oz鈥 with students, faculty and the public at a screening
in the Pridemore Playhouse. In a question and answer session following the screening,
Barry fielded questions ranging from 鈥淲hat was it like to work with Bruce Willis?鈥
to 鈥淗ow challenging was it to act with the lion鈥檚 teeth?鈥 He spoke a lot about making
the film, even revealing information about the special effects. While here, he also
led a master class, giving numerous insider actor tips on casting, marketing, online
promotions, headshots, auditioning, agents, and career management.
Mark Beall
Mark Beall music director, producer, composer, came from Nashville, Tennessee to provide
musical direction for RU Theatre鈥檚 highly successful production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Having trained at Manhattanville College, Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music,
and the Ecole d'Arts Americaine, Beall has worked on more than thirty-five different
musicals at numerous theatres. His compositions range from animated film scores to
chamber opera. He has taught at Belmont University and Vanderbilt University's Blair
School of Music. Beall brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to his interactions
with RU students as he led them to the staging of a smash musical!
Sally Struthers
Golden Globe and two-time Emmy winner Sally Struthers joined RU Theatre and Cinema
to play Aunt Sally in Fifth of July and Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Best known as Gloria in the landmark sitcom 鈥淎ll in the Family,鈥 the multi-talented
Struthers is a star of regional theatre, Broadway, TV and film. Of working with the
students at RU she said, 鈥淚 just feel energized when I am around young, talented people.
So it鈥檚 always fun to do that as a switch out from highly trained professional older
people who are also great, but there is something about these kids that鈥檚 amazing.鈥