A highly accomplished design program is a shining feature at this school.

The University of New Mexico campus fills 600 acres in the urban heart of Albuquerque, along Central Avenue, the main east-west artery that is historic Route 66. With an enrollment of 26,000, the University is integral to Albuquerque’s identity. A primary ingredient in the city’s lively arts and cultural mix is UNM’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Standing onstage at the Rodey Theatre, one of the department’s performance spaces, is Richard Hess, a lean, energetic man in worn work boots and jeans. Hess is Rodey’s technical director, and besides building things that make theatre magic, he teaches classes in stagecraft, wood and metals, stage management and technical direction.

Hess points out the features that make the Rodey such an exceptional venue. “It’s extremely versatile,” he explains. “To my knowledge, it’s one of the few theatres in the U.S. that is both a proscenium and a thrust. It has 12 removable traps, a hydraulic orchestra pit, a wire tension grid over the thrust area and a sprung dance floor, because dance is an important part of what we do. We’ve recently renovated Rodey, too. There are new seats — it holds 420 — new carpeting and new wall coverings.”

A smaller, even more flexible complement to Rodey is the experimental theatre, Theatre X. It seats up to 140, depending on its configuration as a proscenium, thrust, alley or arena.

In a typical academic year season, the department puts these facilities through their paces by staging three mainstage plays and two major dance concerts in Rodey Theatre. In Theatre X, one mainstage production and six lesser ones are mounted. Theatre X productions are organized by a student committee with a faculty advisor. With 10 students or under for every theatre teacher, the department fosters a mentoring atmosphere.

The Design For Performance BA program at the Department of Theatre and Dance prepares undergraduate students for advanced study or professional careers in design and technical production across the spectrum of the performing arts. Students take classes in courses that may lead to career paths in theatre, dance, opera, film, television, gaming and interactive environments, the new digital media and related areas. Students receive a liberal arts education and general training in design as well as specialized training in areas of their particular interest. Design and production areas offered include scenic, costume, lighting and sound design for theatre, dance, opera and musical productions.

Students in the Design For Performance program interact with faculty and staff who work professionally in their fields as well as in the academic arena. Students have access to state-ofthe- art production facilities with the latest equipment, including lighting and sound labs, computer labs, two well equipped theatres and the new high-technology ARTSlab, as well as many other resources in the College of Fine Arts. Students are offered programs of study in the history and theory, as well as the creative and technical aspects, of design for the performing arts.

Albuquerque’s thriving theatre scene provides ample opportunity for UNM students to work with other companies. The University recently initiated a residency with Tricklock, a local professional company. Funded by a grant from the State of New Mexico, the residency program’s debut was an ambitious production of Candide in the fall of 2006. From January 18 to February 4 Tricklock, in partnership with UNM and The National Hispanic Cultural Center, presented the 7th Annual Revolutions International Theatre Festival, featuring performances, outreach programs and cultural exchanges with artists from across the country and the globe. In addition as another part of its UNM residency, Tricklock plans to offer a series of classes and workshops.

In addition to the two campus venues, there are four off-campus sites, ranging from the National Hispanic Cultural Center to a local coffeehouse.

Without even including such cooperative community efforts, there are plenty of opportunities for students to gain valuable experience right on campus. “Because we don’t have a graduate program in design for performance,” explains Hess, “undergrads don’t have to defer to grads. They get more and better opportunities to do mainstage work. They get hands -on experience that gives them more than just inclass material for their portfolios.”

Students also have internship employment opportunities with Popejoy Hall, the campus 2000- seat roadhouse; the Santa Fe Opera, with a world-class summer season; the Kimo Theatre, a Southwest-theme Art-Deco movie palace renovated for live performance and operated by the City of Albuquerque; and the Roy E. Disney Theatre, a new state-of-theart facility at The National Hispanic Cultural Center.

The department also participates in work-study programs. Hess usually has slots for 10 students, who can work up to 30 hours per week.

After graduation, UNM tech theatre students have gone on to U.S. and international positions in such fields as lighting, stage and production management and costume and set design.

For more information about the UNM theatre program, check out www.unm.edu.