Theatre program director and Fine Arts professor David Block. Photo courtesy of David Block.
UAA’s Department of Theatre & Dance restarted its theatre program last fall after a five year hiatus. Theatre professor David Block, and his students spoke with The Northern Light to share their experience with the program’s return.
Block said, “The program started disappearing in the late 2010s. Dan Anto, the chair of the theatre department and I sat down trying to figure out how to fix the problem.”
Last fall, the department implemented a Fundamentals of Acting course. The class had an unexpected number of students attend, and the program expanded with more course offerings, including Theatre Appreciation and Advanced Fundamentals of Acting.
“This semester, we do have fewer classes, but we hope to keep the program strong through the theatre club,” Block said.
He attributed the scarcity of classes to the department’s lack of funds. “Classes aren’t that expensive, but departments can be spendy.”
A student in Block’s Fundamentals of Acting class, Ella Nordlund, shared her experience with the program. “I am a transfer student, so I was nervous at first. I met a lot of people through the program, creating a social bubble that I wouldn’t have found without it,” she said.
Working mother and student Nakira Calkins expressed feeling comfortable with a busy schedule while participating in the program, “I feel like it’s a no-judgement learning environment ... It was flexible and accommodating for my schedule.”
UAA’s Theatre Club will be performing “Kahn!!! The Musical!” on Oct. 9, 10, 16 and 17. The show will take place in the Fine Arts Building’s Mainstage Theatre, and is open to the public for free.
For more information about the theatre program, Block encouraged students to email him.
Students can find his email in the University of Alaska directory.
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