M.A. Entrance Essay

Entrance essay for Roosevelt University M.A. in Theatre Directing FastTrack Program

For ERIC DECKER

Since graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, 13 years ago, I’ve had the opportunity to use my theatre and education degree in several schools and community theatres. My experiences, in over 30 directing jobs, have ranged from big show musicals with 72 participants to small absurdist plays with five actors. My undergraduate education has served me well, but to advance my growth and art to the next level, I need additional training. When seeing other productions, I can identify problems I’ve encountered and been able to solve, while I can also quite clearly see when more formal education would help me to communicate more clearly with an audience. Specifically, I would like to refine my handling of stage movement, dramaturgy, and period styles. In addition, I’ve led several dozen acting classes, including Acting for Adults, Theatre Games, and Auditioning for Teens. An M.A. from the Chicago Conservatory of Performing Arts would further develop my teaching ability with in-depth content knowledge. Equally important, at my high school I would also be able to better prepare actors for advanced theatre training.

Finally, theatre is my enduring passion. The art allows me to continue striving for that audience connection through the action on stage, as we reach for a clearer understanding of our mutual humanity. Roosevelt University, with its summer FastTrack program can offer more training for my craft, allowing me to continue improving as a director and teacher, therefore providing students, actors and audiences with a better artistic experience and additional personal growth.