The performing arts at Illinois Valley Community
College are very much alive! IVCC’s
Theatre Department holds many opportunities for students and community members
to enrich their lives and develop skills in all areas of performance. The Theatre Department has core transfer
courses for those bound for continued studies at the college or University
level: Introduction to Theatre, Acting I and Acting II, Theatre Production,
Level I and Level II. The Theatre
Department hosts a variety of classes taught as independent studies:
Playwriting, Oral Interpretation, Movement and Stage Combat. The Theatre Department produces a main stage
production each semester. Along with this,
The Theatre Department produces a Show Choir, whose focus is on performance of
music and dance, a traditional choir, and a very active Improvisation
performing group. The theatre faculty works hard to find creative outlets to
utilize the talents of these groups and meet the needs of our community. There are also many performance opportunities
created through the student organization, SPAMO (Students of Performing Arts
and Music Organization). SPAMO works to
help support the Improv Group, host talent showcases and open mic coffee houses,
and facilitate community performance projects under the leadership of the
theatre faculty. The theatre department
at IVCC awards a variety of theatre scholarships and tuition waivers.
Speech
Communication is a required course of study for almost every program in higher
education.
The study of speech
has moved to even greater importance as the twenty-first century progresses. The new information age bombards us with technology,
electronic messaging, and a new global connectedness. In this new world of information exchange
industry, civic and political organizations, and educational institutions turn
to the public speaker to keep the human element in the communication mix. Every employer in the modern world seeks for,
and rewards employees with good communication skills. Our future is a world of training,
retraining, development and growth.
Public communication is key in all of these areas. The concepts taught in public communication
prepare students to add their voice to the future and create a better quality
of life for all.
At IVCC, SPH 1001, Fundamentals
of Public Speaking and SPH 1204, Oral Communication Skills for Bus., Ind. &
Tech are offered and in many fields of study is a prerequisite.
Information about
the fundamentals course:
Speech 1001 is a course in fundamentals of speech in audience situations,
with emphasis upon development of effective research, organization, and
delivery of informative, analytical, and persuasive speeches.
This is a background course for speech performance designed to develop
poise, confidence and ability in communication situations, with emphasis on
organizing and presenting ideas, practice in making speeches, presentations,
and group communication.
The purpose of this course is to help students become a more effective
communicator. You will participate in a
variety of communication activities:
public speaking, small group, and interpersonal. Students are expected to participate in class
activities, discussions, to communicate in group activities, and participate in
listening exercises.
Each student is required to publicly perform, using a prescribed set of
criteria, which addresses the skills studied in the objectives. Students will be assessed on a scale of
rising expectations as the semester progresses, and are evaluated by
performance and demonstrated knowledge of theory.
Full-time Faculty
Part-time Faculty
Alex Dittmer - Speech
Andrea Kowalski - Speech
Jacob Pearson - Speech
Bob Peterlin - Speech
Anne Marie Silvey - Speech
Donna Stone - Speech/Theatre