The Mendocino College Theatre Arts Department offers an AA degree with an emphasis in either Theatre or Dance as well as an AA Degree for Transfer in Theatre Arts and a CTE Certificate in Technical Theatre.

Theatre Arts
  1. Overview
  2. Degrees & Certificates
  3. Conservatory Cohort
  4. Faculty & Staff
  5. Performances & Exhibitions

Through study in Theatre Arts (including Dance and Theatre) and through completion of the college’s Theatre Arts degrees and certificates, students develop the ability to participate in the creation and performance and production of live theatre and dance performances. In addition, students learn to analyze performances in the context of history, theory and practice. Fully staged productions in the college's two theatres supplement the studio and lecture classes. The program emphasizes the importance of creative collaboration and effective interpersonal communication. The program strives to develop, nurture and train future generations of theatre artists, as well as students who may apply their theatre studies in a variety of other academic areas and careers.

A coordinated series of classes for a cohort of theatre students.

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Cohort group image from play MUSEUM

Actor training prepares students not only for careers in theatre, but also equips students with skills of creativity, communication, discipline and teamwork—skills which are essential in all careers and in life. Theatre is thriving at Mendocino College; come join us! 

Mendocino College’s Theatre Conservatory Cohort Experience allows students the opportunity to engage in conservatory style actor training on our Ukiah campus. An intensive series of acting, voice and movement classes occur each afternoon with production rehearsals in the evenings. Students are free to pursue their general education and transfer preparation courses in the mornings (and summer sessions). The cohort group follows a four semester sequence over the course of two years, after which students who have completed the conservatory sequence of classes as well as their general education requirements earn an AA degree in theatre and are prepared to transfer to 4-year institutions. Do note that meeting with a counselor to plan a sequence that fulfills the general education requirements is essential.  Students who commit to the full program of courses receive priority in production casting and benefit from an intensive theatre training experience.  For information about participating in this exciting opportunity, contact Reid Edelman at 468-3172 or e-mail redelman@mendocino.edu.

Faculty & Staff

Professor of Theatre | Theatre Department
Reid Edelman has produced and/or directed more than 100 productions and acted in dozens of others. In his 36 years teaching theatre, he has trained hundreds of students, many of whom are performing to...
Reid Edelman has produced and/or directed more than 100 productions and acted in...
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Reid Edelman photo
Professor of Theatre & Technical Director | Theatre Department
Steve Decker joined Mendocino College in Fall 2016 as the CVPA Technical Director and professor of Technical Theatre and Design. Steve earned his MFA in Lighting & Scenery from the University of ...
Steve Decker joined Mendocino College in Fall 2016 as the CVPA Technical Directo...
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Voice and Dialects | Theatre Department
Alicia Bales (Narrative Theatre) earned an MA in Voice and Speech Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, and a BA in Theatre and Performance from UC Berkeley....
Alicia Bales (Narrative Theatre) earned an MA in Voice and Speech Studies from t...
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Alicia Bale
Dance | Theatre Department
Eryn Schon-Brunner (dance) earned her BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and her MFA from Hollins University. From 2002-2009, Eryn co-directed BE Productions in LA. She has also ...
Eryn Schon-Brunner (dance) earned her BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the A...
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Eryn Schon-Brunner Photo
Costuming | Theatre Department
Kathy Dingman-Katz (costuming) has taught and designed at Mendocino College since 2004. She has also designed costumes locally for SPACE and Willits Young Actors Theatre. Prior to moving to Mendocino ...
Kathy Dingman-Katz (costuming) has taught and designed at Mendocino College sinc...
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Kathy Dingman-Katz Photo
Musical Theatre | Theatre Department
Charlie Seltzer (musical theater) has a BA from Binghamton University where he studied both singing and piano. He earned his MA in musicology from Queens College. He particularly enjoys using his musi...
Charlie Seltzer (musical theater) has a BA from Binghamton University where he s...
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Marilyn Bohlen Simpson was born into a musical family. She grew up singing in school and church choirs, and playing piano, violin, and baritone horn. She received a B.A. in Music and European Histor...
Marilyn Bohlen Simpson was born into a musical family. She grew up singing in s...
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Marilyn Simpson Photo
Music, Adjunct Faculty | Music
Janice Hawthorne Timm (choirs, musical theatre), is originally from Montgomery, Alabama, and has lived in the Ukiah area since 1987. She currently directs the Mendocino College Choir in Ukiah & W...
Janice Hawthorne Timm (choirs, musical theatre), is originally from Montgomery, ...
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Janice Hawthorne Timm
John Tomlinson earned his BA from California State University, Chico and an MFA from Roosevelt University in Chicago, both in Theatre Performance. He has acted professionally on stages in California a...
John Tomlinson earned his BA from California State University, Chico and an MFA ...
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Theatre Technician/ College Media Technician
David Wolf is a musician, playwright, and professional carpenter; he received his BA in Painting and Philosophy from the University of Alabama. He has worked in many creative capacities on many Mendoc...
David Wolf is a musician, playwright, and professional carpenter; he received hi...
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David Wold photo
Associate Professor of Psychology | Psychology
Dena Watson-Krasts is a full-time Professor with over fifteen years of experience teaching at Mendocino College. She teaches in multiple departments including theater, psychology and communications. S...
Dena Watson-Krasts is a full-time Professor with over fifteen years of experienc...
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Dena smiling
Kirsten grew up in Redwood Valley, California, and was a founding member of the Mendocino Ballet Company. After receiving her BA from the University of California, Irvine, Kirsten moved to San Franci...
Kirsten grew up in Redwood Valley, California, and was a founding member of the ...
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kirsten turner headshot

Events

Apr
21
Apr 21, 2024
10:00am - 05:00pm
May
02
May 02, 2024
07:30pm - 09:30pm
May
03
May 03, 2024
07:30pm - 09:30pm