When the UIS theatre department posted a new position, Powell knew he could offer a unique skill set.
“I like to see what’s on the horizon and what might come. It was exciting to me what they were offering at UIS. I really liked the plays that Missy and Eric were choosing. They were choosing plays from True West to the Heidi Chronicles; stuff that my last school didn’t do,” said Powell.
The UIS theatre department offered just the right size and feel for Dathan Powell. Powell explained that his teaching plus design skills were a perfect fit for a theatre program looking to expand.
Powell’s background came as a theater professor at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky. He holds an undergrad degree in theatre arts from Illinois Wesylan University and a master’s degree in scenic design from Indiana University.
Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson, Director of Theatre at UIS, said Powell’s name floated to the top of the list when conducting the national search for a new theatre professor.
“Dathan is a working professional in theatre. He really stood out when looking at other candidates. Our audiences are going to see a nice production facelift. We now have a faculty member who is a professional and can teach the students,” said Thibodeaux-Thompson.
Powell wants to expand the theatre minor into a major and provide students new courses never before offered at UIS. Some of these include stage crafting, lighting, and props.
“It’s something down the road that we can carefully look at adding to the theatre department at UIS,” Powell said.
Integrating technology is one of the core ideas Powell wants to introduce into his classes. Whether it’s replacing scripts with tablet computers or introducing students to computer drafting programs for set design.
“I think it will attract students that may not be that interested in theatre to begin with,” said Powell.
The marriage of backstage work and acting is why Powell decided to pursue a career in theatre education.
“When I was a kid, I always wanted to be an architect. Halfway through my undergrad, I saw that you could do both in theatre. I that was something that was really exciting for me,” Powell said.
Powell pointed out that most theatre majors have to expand their train of thought, “It’s a tight job market out there. Students who are trained in both acting and set design work are well rounded.”
A more educated workforce in the theatre world can also be good for audience members. Powell enthusiastically talked about the variation of plays, “There really could be a hundred versions of Romeo and Juliet, all with unique twists to the story line.”
Powell says that there are less actors than set and design workers. If students were taught these special skills, it can translate to other fields such as television, film or business.
“The way you work together on a production, can show people that you’re a great team worker. It can defiantly translate into the business world,” said Powell.
