University News
WIU Accepted Into National Alliance for Musical Theatre
October 8, 2013
MACOMB, IL – The College of Fine Arts and Communication Department of Theatre and Dance at Western Illinois University has been accepted for membership into the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT).
NAMT is a not-for-profit organization with a mission of advancing musical theatre by helping develop, produce and present new musicals and to provide a forum for musical theatre professionals to share resources and exchange information.
Department of Theatre and Dance Chair David E. Patrick applied to the organization over the summer and was interviewed for potential membership in September. Patrick said NAMT membership opens some exciting possibilities for the department's future, including in new musical development.
"As one of Western Illinois University's academic Signature Programs, we're extremely pleased to be accepted into membership in NAMT," Patrick said. "Our students will be able to work with a broad range of musical theatre producing artists and organizations, and this will make our students eligible for national professional theatre auditions."
COFAC Dean William Clow said the NAMT recognition is important to the University.
"Being accepted into the NAMT brings the musical theatre program at WIU to the next level of professionalism," he said. "It is recognition that what we have here is an outstanding educational opportunity, and, in turn, takes our program to another audience nationally."
WIU joins Illinois Wesleyan University and Millikin University as the only other Illinois universities granted membership.
For more information about the department, visit wiu.edu/cofac/theatre/.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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