Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, is taking its performing arts programs to an even higher level with the creation of the School of Performing Arts (SoPA) within the College of Arts & Sciences.
The new school will connect theatre, music, dance and choral programs under an innovative collaborative structure. It will bring together faculty, staff and students from across academic and student life programs, strengthening opportunities for both performances and new scholarship.
SHU’s theatre arts program is ranked top 15 in the nation by The Princeton Review for “Best College Theatre” where creativity, talent and passion take center stage. That recognition, along with the creation of the School of Performing Arts, solidifies SHU’s place among universities where the arts are central to student life and academic excellence.
More than 1,000 Sacred Heart students participate in performing arts each year, whether on stage, in ensembles or through liturgical music. Until now, much of this work has been divided between academic departments and cocurricular programs. The new school provides a shared home that encourages human creativity, integrates a liberal arts approach with rigorous practical training and expands the ways all students can engage with a passion for the performing arts during their college careers.
“The School of Performing Arts creates space for collaboration across the University,” said Charles A. Gillespie, associate professor of Catholic studies and performing arts, who will be SoPA’s founding associate dean. “It allows students to connect their academic work with their creative passions, showing how live performance can be an integral part of how they learn and grow at Sacred Heart.”
Denise Tiberio, dean of students, emphasized the importance of the student experience and pointed out that the school will offer new opportunities and interactions. “This exciting step reflects Sacred Heart’s deep and ongoing commitment to the arts and represents a collaborative partnership between academic affairs and student affairs,” she said. “By bringing together outstanding faculty, dedicated staff and talented students, this initiative will provide new opportunities for performance, scholarship and engagement. Most importantly, it will empower students to pursue their passions both in and out of the classroom, ensuring that their artistic journey is fully supported across every dimension of their college experience.”
Mark A. Beekey, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, said SoPA aligns with the university’s mission to instill in students the desire to use their skills and knowledge to make a positive difference in the global community. “The School of Performing Arts will embody the idea that creativity belongs at the heart of a university education,” Beekey said. “By linking performance with scholarship and community life, SoPA will demonstrate how the arts help us imagine new possibilities, strengthen human connection and engage the world with curiosity and compassion.”
“The new School of Performing Arts is going to take arts education and training at SHU to the next level,” said Rachel Bauer, associate director of academic affairs for SoPA and assistant professor in theatre arts.
Sacred Heart is committed to being a destination for students who want to pursue performing arts at the highest level and for those who want the arts to remain an essential part of their lives. Gerald Goehring, SHU’s executive director for performing arts programs who will also be the artistic director of SoPA, said the new school reflects that commitment. “With SoPA, we can provide professional-level training while also making sure every student, regardless of major, has access to ensembles, productions and opportunities to perform,” he said.
