Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design
Overview
Drexel's Westphal College is a true community of artists. We offer music, theater and dance classes for all students in the University Community, and for any interested student, we also offer Music, Theater, Dance, and Performing Arts minors.
Performing Arts Brochure
Interested in learning more about the Performing Arts programs at Drexel? Click here (or on the image) to see the Department of Performing Arts 2008-2009 Season Brochure.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Performing Arts is twofold. We exist to enhance the cultural literacy of all Drexel students by providing them with opportunities to study, create, perform and experience dance, music, and theater. Equally important, we prepare students to succeed in the music and arts industries by integrating dynamic curriculum with real-world cooperative education experiences.
The Performing Arts Department houses the Mandell Theater, which serves as the major performance space for all three disciplines. It also hosts the Mandell Professionals In Residency Program which brings world class theater and dance companies to campus to perform, and to teach.
Dance
The Dance program at Drexel is founded on the belief that the act of dancing offers an opportunity to grow not only physically, but intellectually, emotionally, and socially. The curriculum is designed to guide each student in developing their own unique artistic voice. Students are exposed to a wide range of dance techniques and approaches through performances, choreography, intensive classes, and community participation.
Theatre
The Theatre program at Drexel consists of two distinct, yet closely integrated components: Academics and Performance. The intertwining of foundation studies and practical application empowers students to discover and develop their own voice and style in their art. With practical courses in Acting, Voice and Articulation, Movement for the Actor, Directing, Design and Technical Theatre, students explore areas of interest, develop their skills, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the practical side of theatre arts. The Performance program allows students to apply their skills in a production setting, with public performances in either main stage productions or intimate studio productions in non-traditional theatre spaces.
Music
The Music program at Drexel offers numerous courses to develop a student's musicianship and nurture an appreciation and understanding of music's fundamentals. Students can take classes, study an instrument in private lessons and participate as a performer in one of over a dozen music ensembles; University Chorus, Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, and String Ensemble are a few examples of the ensembles offered.
Scholarships
The Department of Performing Arts awards two kinds of scholarships each year; performance scholarships and technical scholarships. All scholarship awards are based on ability, ensemble needs, and an overall commitment to the ensemble. They are awarded by audition and demonstration of commitment to the work and overall success of the awarding ensemble.