Learning Through Doing
Get involved with other students and the community. Buffalo State's Theater Department offers a variety of options for learning, growing, and giving.
Anne Frank Project
The mission of the Anne Frank Project (AFP) is to use story as a vehicle for community building, conflict resolution, and identity exploration. Inspired by the wisdom of Anne Frank, AFP surfaces and shares stories stifled by oppression.
Casting Hall
Casting Hall is Buffalo State's student-operated and funded theater production company and co-producer for the Theater Department’s season. Casting Hall provides students with practical experience in all aspects of theater production, which includes publicity, costume and set construction, technical staffing, production, and budget management.
Buffalo State Dance Association
The Buffalo State Dance Association is the student voice of the Buffalo State Dance Program and provides students, interested in the many facets of dance, a forum for intellectual and creative exchange.
Founded as the administrating organization for Buffalo State’s Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA), the organization organizes numerous events such as hosting professional workshops, volunteering within the community, raising money to benefit dance education, and inviting professionals from many backgrounds to share their expertise and passion for dance. These events help students to meet the honors criteria established by the National Dance Education Organization and also provide a wide variety of opportunities for students who love to dance.
Buffalo State Dance Theater
Built on the foundation of diversity and creativity, all forms of dance are accepted and appreciated. Choreography is a powerful civic tool when the dancers embody critical global issues and move to convey justice. Faculty, students, alumni, and guest artists have presented a wide range of choreography, providing audiences with engaging and time relevant concepts that spark change.
Acceptance (by audition), indicates commitment to the company for the full academic year, registering for a dance technique course each semester, and rehearsing for and performing in the annual spring dance concert. Concert themes promote multiple perspectives, social change, and active citizenship.
Friday Night Live!
Friday Night Live! is Buffalo State's student improv troupe. The free performances are held on several Friday nights throughout the semester at 10 p.m. at the Flexible Theatre in the Savage Theater and Communication Building.
Internships
Internships engage students in the complete theater process of acting, set and costume design, stage management, directing, and marketing. Our students have completed professional internships at local, regional and national theaters such as Road Less Traveled Productions, Shea's Performing Arts Center, Irish Classical Theater Company, Theater of Youth, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, and Alliance Theater (Atlanta, Georgia).
Buffalo State partners with Shea's Performing Arts Center, which offers internationally-recognized outreach programs such as "Shea's In the Schools," "Camp Broadway," and the "On School Time Performance Series". Responsibilities include working with area students (K-12), organizations visiting Shea's, professional production companies (e.g., Disney, Nickelodeon), and individual artists preparing for performances.
Buffalo State's Career & Professional Education Center provides additional career counseling and internship opportunities to current students and alumni.
National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)
The NHSDA is administered through the Buffalo State Dance Association. Inductees are recognized for their artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement. Induction requires student to maintain a 3.5 GPA in dance, earn a minimum of 45 points, and provide a letter of support. To Graduate with Honors in the senior year, a student must earn an additional 15 points, secure another letter of support, and submit a personal research essay to the NHSDA Chapter Adviser.
National Honor Society for Dance Arts Pledge: I pledge to never compromise my creative ability, to be original and true to my body’s natural movement. I will always be willing to improve my technique and stay open to new genres and ideas. I will never fail to help fellow dancers to let their talents shine and to be an advocate for prospective dancers everywhere. I will bring my personality and spirit to every dance that I am called to perform. -Deloris Gayle Griffin
New Student Showcase
Performance and design opportunities are available throughout your college experience. By performing on stage in your first year, or participating in a technical element, the New Student Showcase introduces new students to the faculty and students of the Theater Department.