NSU Horizons Spring/Summer 2009

are fast transforming the school into a major center for the visual and performing arts. Last fall, Herrera was on stage for Opening Night , the inaugural production at the university’s 250-seat Performance Theater. This venue is part of the new Performing and Visual Arts Wing at the Don Taft Uni- versity Center that opened in October 2008 on NSU’s main campus in Fort Lauderdale. In February, Herrera also performed in the winter musical Baby . As if acting, singing, and dancing aren’t enough, her interests also include directing—another goal that her NSU course- work can prepare her to achieve. Clearly, NSU is moving Herrera closer to realizing her dreams. “It was the right choice,” she said of her decision to join the university’s growing performing and visual arts programs. NSU is the only four-year university based in Bro- ward County that offers bachelor’s degree programs in the performing arts, dance, and music. These programs are available through the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, which recently added the Division of Per- forming and Visual Arts to house multidisciplinary un- dergraduate degree programs in art, dance, and music, in addition to Herrera’s chosen major of theatre. The college also offers related minors and is implementing a bachelor’s degree program in arts administration, which complements students’ creative experiences with man- agement training. In addition, the university’s theater productions offer a wealth of opportunities for students to perform on campus. While the college’s new arts curriculum is essential to the success of this expansion, equally valuable is its excellent faculty of practicing artists, Michael Caldwell, D.M.A., director of the Division of Performing and Visual Arts, explained. Arts students benefit from the college’s insistence on maintaining smaller class sizes. “The arts require quite a bit of time and effort,” Caldwell said. “We’re unique because we have a very supportive environ- ment.” While arts programs at some other universities may be larger and older, students may also feel more anonymous. NSU’s arts programs enable undergradu- ates to participate in activities, such as advanced the- ater productions, that they may not otherwise engage in until after graduation. That sentiment is echoed by students like Herrera. “We have a lot of support for the arts from the school and its faculty. That was really influential in me coming to NSU,” she said about her experience so far at the university. “They’re excited that we’re here. And that makes me excited to be here.” While developing and advancing these programs, NSU has the opportunity to respond to today’s arts trends and the current need for arts training. “Being 20 horizons Left: Students experimenting in the lighting lab Below: Students running the tech booth to ensure quality sound and communication with technicians