Kean University offers a wide variety of opportunities in the performing arts. Out of the College of Liberal Arts is the School of Fine and Performing Arts, which offers BFA's in theatre, theatre performance, theatre design and technology and minors in dance and theatre.
The Theatre Department at Kean unites the community's diverse population with an appreciation for the performing arts. Kean University productions are created with the goal of a professional-caliber, world-class performance. Graduates from Kean's theatre majors go on to become successful actors, directors, designers, technicians and educators.
Rosemarie Manzo takes full advantage of the world-class theatrical opportunities offered at Kean. Working with nearly all of the different performance hubs on campus, she has established herself as an involved, passionate performer and leader within the student stage community.
As a junior theatre performance major and president of Kean Theatre Council, Rosemarie Manzo aspires to become a musical theatre actress and has already used the skills and training she received at Kean to get her first professional job as an assistant stage manager at an off-Broadway theatre company.
"I chose to come to Kean for my major. I was drawn to the Theatre Department because of their diversity in the different aspects of theatre as a whole," Manzo said, "I worked as an usher at Kean Stage for the past three years at Kean. I have also worked as an intern for Premiere Stages, the theatre company here on campus, earning equity points towards joining the actor's union."
Premiere Stages works with Kean University to provide the Kean community with performances that help to educate students on local history as well as exploring other cultures.
Kean Stage is dedicated to a mission of educating and entertaining the Kean community with diverse quality programming and connecting students to performances that will expand their learning beyond the classroom. Kean Stage offers positions of employment to students who want to be involved with the performing arts.
Manzo is native of Staten Island, NY and is very involved with the different performance job opportunities and also keeps busy within the department and field.
"I am the president of Kean Theatre Council (KTC). We are the student voice of the Theatre Department. KTC is looking to bring/give theatre opportunities to non-theatre majors on campus. We encourage non-theatre students to come audition for our performance opportunities such as cabarets and our Second Stage production" We have lots of socializing events including a themed Halloween party [on Oct. 27], as well as our end-of-the-year banquet where the theatre conservatory announces their next upcoming season."
Kean Theatre Council works to inform and encourage all students to participate in performing arts opportunities on campus and off campus regardless of major. With the education attained from classes, KTC uses lessons learned and applies them to productions and events. The organization meets once a month during college hour and are vocal on social media. Every year, Kean Theatre Council produces a student run theater production. This production is completely student run, spearheaded by KTC. Students of any major are encouraged to audition for this production.
Rosemarie Manzo's involvement on campus centers around her major and has helped her gain experience to obtain positions both on and off campus that are related to her future career goals.
For more information on the Kean Theatre Council, they can be contacted at ktc@kean.edu or visit their Cougar Link page. KTC is also hosting a Halloween Party Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Zella Fry Theatre in Vaughn Eames. This event is a chance for students to celebrate Halloween, dance and enjoy food at the bring a dish potluck!
