RiverPark Center, Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College and Owensboro Community and Technical College are pleased to announce they are developing a truly unique partnership – the creation of a Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree. Students enrolled for the degree will have the opportunity to participate in courses at each of the participating institutions no matter which one is their home.
“Unlike certain noble future projects for our community that will have to wait for funding sources to emerge”, said Zev Buffman, President/CEO of RiverPark, “This amazing educational collaboration can step forward right now, relying on what we have at hand – We must go for it”.
As the Gateway Planning group analyzed the Owensboro and Daviess County community, they discovered a truly unique and significant arts and cultural environment and suggested that the downtown master plan should include an Arts Academy which would take advantage of the synergy that already exists downtown. Discussions were facilitated by the Economic Development Corporation and what quickly emerged was a commitment by the colleges and universities and RiverPark Center to create such a Bachelor of Theatre Arts program. The commitment to truly working cooperatively started at the President’s level, worked its way through the Deans and was also echoed by the instructors. Roxi Witt, RPC General Manager, stated that, “it was truly invigorating to be in a room and have everyone agreeing on the final destination (in this case a Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree for students in our community and region) and yet no turf battles occurred – this is a truly historic and significant partnership and program for our community.”
A proposed Bachelor of Theatre Arts degree has been outlined and is currently being reviewed and “tweaked” by the curriculum committees at each of the colleges and universities. It is hoped that students will be able to enroll in this curriculum by the Fall of 2010! Cheryl King, President, Kentucky Wesleyan College said: “Kentucky Wesleyan College is pleased to partner with RiverPark Center and our sister institutions to provide this distinctive Theatre Arts program. Through a unique collaborative model, our students will have exceptional opportunities for learning and success. There is a lot of excitement on our campus, and we look forward to working with our sister institutions and the RiverPark Center.”
Father Larry Hostetter, President, Brescia University added: Brescia has had a long history of excellence in the creative arts. This will be a great "next step" in that tradition. The fact that we are collaborating with our sister institutions and the RiverPark Center makes this effort especially significant. I have no doubt that soon Owensboro will be recognized as the place to receive a theater arts degree.
The Owensboro Community and Technical College will offer a Certificate – specializing in technical theatre – where the vast majority of entertainment jobs really exist! Larry Durrence, acting president of the Owensboro Community and Technical College said: “Our students taking courses in Set Design, Make-up, and Theater Lighting can learn from professionals who come to the RiverPark Center and can complete their degree at Brescia or Kentucky Wesleyan. Few colleges in America can provide such opportunity to students pursuing a theatrical career.”
RiverPark is proud of the expansion of the Young Adult Theatre Academy into a 4 year Bachelor of Arts program. But this is only a beginning – for RiverPark Center and for Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College and the Owensboro Community and Technical College. As the Bachelor of Arts program unfolds, it will be utilized as a recruiting tool – and will expand to include juniors and seniors in high school (including students from throughout western Kentucky – some of whom will need housing in downtown Owensboro). “We look forward to our students creating an “alive” downtown and riverfront – it is our future and we can touch it” said Zev Buffman.