FRANKLIN, Mass., June 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dean College is
thrilled to announce the creation of the Schools of Performing
Arts, a dynamic and innovative institution that merges the best
elements of the School of the Arts and the Joan Phelps Palladino
School of Dance. This groundbreaking school will be under the
esteemed leadership of Interim Dean, Jim
Beauregard, a highly respected 30-year veteran of the Dean
faculty, and Interim Assistant Dean, Stephen Tracey-Ursprung, whose commitment to
academic excellence and student engagement is unparalleled.
"I am excited to serve as the Interim Dean of the Schools
of Performing Arts at Dean," said Jim
Beauregard. "This unique convergence of talents is designed
to provide a multifaceted, interdisciplinary approach to performing
arts education, offering our students the flexibility to explore
and refine their passions with professional rigor. The new Schools
of Performing Arts will harness the synergies of theatre, dance,
music and arts management into one cohesive unit."
Experiential Learning & The Dean Difference
At the
core of the School of Performing Arts is The Dean
Difference, a unique philosophy centered around exceptional
student support and engagement. The curriculum will feature
innovative and experiential learning opportunities such as:
- Collaborative Productions: Real-world experience through
collaborative projects that involve theatre productions, dance
performances and musical showcases.
- Industry Internships: Partnerships with leading arts
organizations to provide students with invaluable, hands-on
internship experiences.
- Master Classes: Workshops and seminars conducted by industry
experts, including notable choreographers, directors and music
producers.
- Public Performances: Multiple sold-out "Mainstage" performances
every semester.
- Capstone Projects: Signature senior-level work in a culminating
presentation.
Jim Beauregard: Celebrating 30
Years of Artistic Excellence
For three decades, Interim
Dean, Jim Beauregard, has been a
cornerstone of Dean excelling as Associate Professor of Theatre and
Dance and Technical Director. With his unparalleled vision and
passion for all aspects of the arts he has directed and
choreographed over 40 plays, and his technical finesse has graced
more than 150 theatre and dance productions. As founder and
director of Dean College Summer
Theatre, Beauregard has nurtured countless talents to pursue their
passion.
Beauregard's teaching encompasses courses like technical
production, acting, musical theatre ensemble, movement
improvisation, stage combat, character study for dancers, and
public speaking. His leadership extends beyond the classroom; he
has chaired the Faculty Personnel Policy Committee and served on
numerous committees, including the Appeals and Rank Committees.
As an arts administrator and academic leader with a diverse
background in the management of theatre production, he is a
dedicated advocate for theatre education. Beauregard spent seven
years on the executive board for The Kennedy Center American
College Theatre Festival (KC/ACTF), Region I. His passion was
recognized with the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion, and his
directorial work, including the award-winning production of
"Urinetown," earned national acclaim.
Currently, as Artistic Director at Homebrewed Theatre Company,
Beauregard continues to champion original material, featuring many
Dean College alumni. Beauregard, an
Army veteran, has a B.A. and M.A. in Theatre and Dance from
Rhode Island College.
Stephen Tracey-Ursprung:
Innovating Dance Education
Interim Assistant Dean,
Stephen Tracey-Ursprung, brings
vision and enthusiasm, focusing on dance composition, history, and
pedagogy. Tracey-Ursprung has showcased fresh perspectives as the
producer of the annual Arts Mosaic performance series and has
choreographed numerous pieces that showcase innovative student
work.
Tracey-Ursprung chairs the curriculum committee, plays a pivotal
role in the academic program review team, and mentors the
Dean College chapter of the National
Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). Beyond Dean, he recently
completed a prestigious research fellowship at Jacob's Pillow, a
historic center for American modern dance.
An active performer and educator, Tracey-Ursprung contributes to
Dancing Legacy, co-directs the NilsSprung Dance Project and Reject
Dance Theatre, and co-chairs the DANCE 2050 initiative for the
National Dance Education Organization. He holds a B.A. in Economics
and Italian Studies from Brown
University and an M.F.A. in Dance from Smith College.
Dean College is deeply proud to
recognize the outstanding efforts of Beauregard and
Tracey-Ursprung, whose passion and commitment continue to inspire
our artistic community.
Dean College is a private,
residential New England college
grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the
opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely
supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven
together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional
teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are
lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social
responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean
Difference.
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SOURCE Dean College