Division of Performance and Guest Services

Division Chair: Constance Ellery-Modd, M.F.A. · Wing D, Room D-102 · ext. 2810

The Division of Performance and Guest Services offers instruction in live performance disciplines, historical performance practice, and venue operations. Programs prepare graduates for employment in theatrical production, event venues, period performance ensembles, and related settings requiring structured physical technique, audience-facing service skills, or specialized artisan support.

Active programs include the A.A.S. in Applied Clowning, Technical Certificates in Stage Combat and Historical Reenactment, Single-Wheel and Alternative Conveyance Performance, Early Plucked String Performance, and Audience Services and Venue Continuity. The Historical Instrument Maintenance certificate is currently pending accreditor review and is not open to enrollment. Several programs formerly offered by the Division, including Simulation Role Performance and Product Demonstration and Promotional Presentation, have been withdrawn and do not appear in the current catalog.

Performance training takes place across several dedicated instructional spaces: the Black Box theatre, used for staged combat sequences, clown technique work, and practicum performances; the prop and armor shop, where students fabricate and maintain period equipment under the direction of the Stage Combat and Historical Reenactment faculty; and the makeup classroom, which supports character transformation coursework across multiple programs. Students in the Early Plucked String Performance and Historical Instrument Maintenance sequences work at the early-music workbench, where period instruments and their maintenance are addressed directly. Front-of-house training, including crowd flow management and emergency procedure drills, is conducted in the Division's venue simulation spaces and, where scheduling permits, in conjunction with events held in the main campus auditorium.

The Division is chaired by Constance Ellery-Modd, Professor. Faculty include Winifred Casp, Professor of Applied Clowning; Alonzo Deuff, Associate Professor of Early Music; Sylvia Hurd-Nachtel, Instructor in Stage Combat; Delores Sarnak, Instructor in Audience Services; and Marcus Fenno, Adjunct Instructor in Single-Wheel Conveyance.

Programs

Suspended and teach-out programs are not accepting applications. Enrolled students are taught out under the published teach-out plan, available from the Registrar. Programs approved by the Board of Trustees and pending accreditor action are listed separately at Proposed Programs.