The theater for young audiences major is no longer accepting students, though the minor is available still.
The major prepared students for work in theater for younger audiences, such as acting, directing and design.
The program was approved three years ago, but there was no money available for targeted recruiting.
Since there was less recruitment outreach, enrollment is low, said Judith Palladino, professor of theater.
“When we were going through prioritization, it actually survived,” she said. “Even though we have low enrollment, all students that applied and got accepted to the major came to OCU.”
Prioritization is the process that allows officials to examine university expenditures and determine if changes should be made to academic and support programs.
The theater for young audiences minor still will be available, due to good levels of enrollment.
“The trend is students getting a degree in other kinds of performance are adding children’s theater because there are typically jobs available in children’s theater,” Palladino said.
Current theater for young audiences majors will be able to finish the program.
“I wish that there had been a harder push to recruit for this program before it was cut,” said Meghan Webb, theater for young audiences sophomore. “I think that theater for young audiences is an incredibly valuable art form that isn’t always held to the high standards that it deserves.”
Higher enrollment is required to bring back the theater for young audiences major, Palladino said.
For more information, email Palladino at jpalladino@okcu.edu.
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