WTAMU College of Fine Arts and Humanities
West Texas A&M University is where fine arts students prepare for professional careers as performers, dancers, designers, directors, educators and technicians. Students flourish in an atmosphere of individualized attention, surrounded by professional faculty and state-of-the-art equipment along with opportunities to shine both on stage and backstage in theatre, music and dance.
The Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex is home to WTAMU's theatre program and the Department of Music. The University's major theatre productions are performed in the facility's 304-seat Branding Iron Theatre. Student-directed productions are often found in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre, which can seat up to 120 in a black box, theatre-in-the-round style. The fine arts complex also houses a complete scene shop, costume room, the James Kemmerling Design Classroom, the Jerry Williams Acting Studio and a theatre box office.
WTAMU theatre students find many opportunities to stretch their acting muscles with productions that range from musicals to comedies to drama. Recent productions include Fiddler on the Roof, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Rabbit Hole and The Madness of George III. And if the students aren't filling roles on stage, they can be found backstage working with lighting, scenery, props, production, costumes and more. The theatre program performs at least three productions each long semester.
Students majoring in music also learn and grow through exciting and challenging experiences. The fine arts complex houses a recital hall as well as multiple rehearsal rooms, practice rooms and music studios. Mary Moody Northen Hall also accommodates music students with the band and orchestra rehearsal hall, percussion studio, smaller rehearsal halls, music studios and practice rooms as well as space for equipment and uniform storage.
Performance is a key component to music study, and WTAMU students have countless opportunities through numerous groups and ensembles. The department hosts more than 100 programs each year featuring students and faculty in recitals, concerts, musical and operas. Groups and ensembles include Collegiate Choir, University Chorale, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Sforzando, Flute Ensemble, Opera Workshop, Matilda Gaume Early Music Consort, Percussion Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Wind Ensemble and Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble.
The dance program at WTAMU has a strong commitment to national/international exposure, bringing exceptional guest artists as teachers,
performers, and/or choreographers from around the world and attending/performing at international festivals. The program is housed in
Mary Moody Northen Hall with performance venues on the stages of the Branding Iron Theatre and the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre.
Performance opportunities include the annual fall choreographed concert and the annual spring concert. Students also can audition for
Lone Star Ballet productions as well as for the outdoor musical drama TEXAS.
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Contact
WTAMU College of Fine Arts and Humanities
Phone: 806-651-0000.