Sharon Ammen, Ph.D., associate professor of theatre at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), is featured in a new documentary, “Three Vaudeville Women.” 

At the dawn of the 20th Century, Vaudeville was king! May Irwin, Marie Dressler and Eva Tanguay were three of the biggest names in this early form of variety entertainment. This documentary explores their lives and their importance in ushering in the New Woman to American society. Ammen is featured as the reigning scholar on May Irwin. She also acts in the film as the voice of Eva Tanguay.

Kathleen Golden, Ph.D., with the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, coordinated the research and production of the documentary. The SMWC Music and Theatre Department plans to present “Three Vaudeville Women” on campus in fall 2009.

Ammen’s background includes professional acting, directing experience and academic work. Her professional roles include Maria in “Twelfth Night” and Emilia in “Othello” at Colorado Shakespeare Theatre; Ruth in “Pirates of Penzance” at the Harlequin Theatre and Joanne in “Vanities” at the King's Jester, both in Washington, D.C.; and Maddalena in “Rigoletto” at the Denver Opera Theatre.

The theatre area at SMWC offers students a unique major titled “Women and Theatre.” The major degree is for women who are considering work in the theatre and wish to become a part of the vanguard of women creating major changes in the arts. Students pursuing this degree gain invaluable skills in teamwork, self-discipline, effective communication, and critical thinking.

SMWC also offers a theatre minor in both the campus and the Woods External Degree (WED) programs. This minor can serve as a useful addition to a major in such varied fields as vocal performance, art, psychology, business, or education. SMWC graduates with theatre majors and minors have gone on to perform in professional theatre, manage children's theatre groups, become lawyers, and receive full assistantships to pursue graduate study.

For more information about the theatre programs at SMWC, contact Sharon Ammen at sammen@smwc.edu. For information on scholarships and financial aid, contact the SMWC Office of Admission by email at smwcadms@smwc.edu or by phone at 812-535-5106 or 1-800-926-SMWC.