Page 92 - Best Chapter Spring 2017

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“We focus on helping students develop the skills that “My promise to students is that we are going to

all employers really want their employees to have,” find what they’re really good at and what they are
Alexander said. really talented at doing,” Alexander said. “And then

we’re going to find them a way to do that and make

For the most part, Alexander noted that students a living.”

are no longer coming into the theater program

with dreams of being Broadway stars. Most of the Students are able to explore their talents by

time, students have a passion for the arts and an participating in any of the four productions the
appreciation for performance, but they are realistic college puts on each year. In 2016, the theater
about finding jobs once they’re finished with school. program collaborated with a local high school to put
The theater program helps students understand how on a production of Hairspray The show involved
to take this passion and apply it to careers. One a cast of 68 college and high school students and
recent area of cross-study success for students has about 50 college and high school students working
been in combination of theater and athletic training. behind the scenes. The show sold out completely for
There are lots of areas of opportunity for crossover each performance.

between those disciplines, such as working as a

trainer for a dance troupe or working as a trainer for “We’re very fortunate to have a community that
Broadway shows—a career that a recent Wilmington highly supports the theater,” Alexander said.
College student has successfully pursued. One ongoing program that the residents of

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