Fine Arts J.A.P. celebrates performance, scholars and launch of theater minor
February 20, 2015 - Next fall, Fort Valley State University actors, actresses and theater enthusiasts will have the opportunity to earn credit for their participation in performances on campus. The university is launching a theater minor in Fall 2015. To celebrate the development of the program, the Joseph Adkins Players will be holding a special, invitation-only performance at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5. A reception will follow after the performance.Dr. Maisha Akbar, FVSU associate professor of fine arts, is helping to create the new offering for students. Akbar says that she is completing a proposal to establish the program on campus.
"Theater skills are applied communications skills," Akbar said. "They are marketable. They not only have the performance aspect, but the technical aspect as well. Students in the drama club have attended lighting, writing and film workshops. We've had very dynamic activities, so this new theater minor is our way of giving back."
Akbar says that the new minor builds upon the work that the drama club has done on campus. According to Akbar, the drama club has held a production every semester, and the March 5 event will spotlight their past and future productions.
"The event includes two productions that we've done before -- A Safe (by Georgia Douglass Johnson) and Selfies. We will also preview the production that we're doing in the fall, which is Steel Magnolias," Akbar said.
Once the minor program is established on campus, students will need to earn 15 credit hours in theater to earn a minor.
"Establishing a theater minor furthers the work our dedicated and talented faculty are doing in raising the profile of the Arts at FVSU and in the community," said Dr. Uppinder Mehan, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.