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Communication & Theatre

The purpose of communication is to impart information. Communication, DePauw-style, involves the art and science of sharing ideas in fresh and creative ways.

Students who study in DePauw’s Communication and Theatre Department learn myriad ways to convey ideas and impart information – and their futures promise even more avenues of expression. Whether they envision a career on a theatre’s stage or a legislature’s dais, speaking into a hidden lavalier or a handheld microphone emblazoned with the network’s call letters, students can find their communication niche at DePauw.

Students study communication from humanities, artistic and social science perspectives, with an eye toward using their knowledge in the fields of journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, corporate communications, politics and public service and the performing arts. Many students participate in related cocurricular activities, including DePauw Debate; DePauw Theatre; WGRE-FM student radio; D3TV cable access television; and The DePauw student newspaper. The department supports the Media Fellows Program.

Students gain:

  • Knowledge of the nuts and bolts of communication careers, including the news media and video/film making.
  • Critical-thinking skills through which they can discern the validity of arguments and make sound judgments about what they see, hear and read.
  • Presentation and public speaking skills.
  • The ability to complete original research and performance-based projects of inquiry, discovery and performance.
  • The ability to communicate well in a variety of ways, including written and spoken work.

Graduate & Career

GRADUATE INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED

Indiana University, University of Chicago, Ohio State University, Georgetown University, Saint Louis University, Purdue University, Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago, Colorado Technical University, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, University of London, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Career Options

Actor, Arts management professional, Attorney, Broadcast journalist, Coach, Community organizer, Event planner, Fundraiser, Human resources practitioner, Marketing, Newspaper reporter, Public affairs manager, Public relations practitioner, Publication Editor, Social activist, Social media producer, Speechwriter, Sportscaster, Theatre designer/production worker, TV producer professional

Internships

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

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Advertising agencies in Chicago, New York and Indianapolis

Live-event production in Los Angeles

Public Affairs Interns

TheDePauw newspaper newsroom

FACULTY

Jennifer Adams, Ph.D., Purdue University. Studied hundreds of love letters as part of her interest in rhetoric and friendship.

M. Susan Anthony, Ph.D., University of Maryland- College Park. Author of “Gothic Drama and American Society,” published in 2009.

Ron Dye, MFA, Indiana University. Was region III vice chair of playwriting for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, judging plays written by students in five states.

Melanie Finney, Ph.D., University of Iowa. Interested in influences on cultural identity, coping with grief and loss and public memory and memorials.

Seth Friedman, Ph.D., Indiana University. Author of “Are You Watching Closely?: Cultural Paranoia, New Technologies, and the Contemporary Hollywood Misdirection Film,” published in 2017.

Caroline Good, BA, Northern Illinois University. Creator and director of “Shakespeared!” youth theatre workshops.

Tim Good, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin- Madison.Interested in applied theatre for community building and problem-solving.

Kevin Howley, Ph.D., Indiana University. Enjoys research into activist, alternative and community media.

Kathy Jesse, MA, University of Indianapolis. Adviser for The DePauw and a prize-winning former newspaper reporter. Says “a deadline concentrates the mind wonderfully. Or something like that.”

Jeffrey McCall, Ph.D., University of Missouri. DePauw graduate,1976. Is a frequent op ed contributor and guest on Fox News Channel; has been quoted in more than 100 newspapers.

Matthew Meier, Director of the Speaking and Listening Program and Center, and Associate Professor of Communication and Theatre

Kent Menzel, Ph.D., Denver University. Conducted field research with the U.S.Track Cycling Olympic Team leading up to the Rio games.

Jonathan Nichols-Pethick, Ph.D., Indiana University. Author of “TV Cops: The Contemporary American Television Police Drama,” published in 2012.

Steven Timm, MFA, Indiana University. Author of more than 25 produced plays; co-wrote an award-winning feature film, “Reparation” with Kyle Ham ’94.

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