Purdue News
Purdue NewsJanuary 30, 1998
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Photos and interviews with Purdue Theatre personnel are available by contacting Lori Sparger, Purdue Theatre marketing director, (765) 494-3084.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- An internship program between the Purdue University Theatre Division and the Indiana Repertory Theatre will give professional acting experience to some Purdue graduate students.
The Indiana Repertory Theatre, located in downtown Indianapolis, is the only fully professional, nonprofit theater in the state.
Under terms of the agreement, second-year acting students in Purdue's Master of Fine Arts program will be able to audition for roles in Indiana Repertory Theatre productions. If selected, the students will take part in productions staged the following year. Students selected for roles requiring union membership in Actors Equity will be allowed to join the union, earn a salary from the theater group and receive academic credit from Purdue.
"As a result of this program, students in our Professional Actor Training Program can come to Purdue and in three years earn an MFA and an Equity card," said Dale Miller, interim Theatre Division chairman. Miller said membership in the actor's union opens the door for these students to audition for a range of professional acting jobs.
"We're delighted to be entering into a formal relationship with Purdue University's Theatre Division," said Janet Allen, artistic director for the Indiana Repertory Theatre. "We are very interested in extending our statewide relationships, and as one of the premier universities in the state, Purdue fits the bill. We intend to create a mutually beneficial relationship whereby the IRT has access to well-trained young talent, and Purdue students can use their IRT experience to further their career preparation."
This year seven graduate acting students are eligible for the program. They will audition in March.
CONTACT: Lori Sparger, Purdue Theatre marketing director, (765) 494-3084
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
To the Purdue News and Photos Page