Meet Our Faculty
Wil Kilroy
- Title
- Professor of theatre
- Department
- Theatre
- Areas of interest
- Acting, directing, musical theatre, professional auditioning, creative drama; theatre as a teaching tool
What are the strengths of the theatre department?
One real strength is our professional faculty. We have about eighty students and eight faculty members; at 10 to 1 that’s a lot of individual attention for students. Another strength is the number of opportunities available to students. We have six main productions and our student group puts on two as well. That’s eight theatrical productions per year for students to get involved in.
What are some of the advantages to studying theatre here?
There are so many things going on, and there’s less competition [for parts] than you’d find in bigger programs. For students working their way up through the ranks, there are opportunities to direct a play on our main stage, which is really rare for undergraduates. And there’s the playwriting program, which opens up even more opportunities.
What notable professional experience has influenced your teaching?
Well, the fact that I’ve lived in New York and Los Angeles, and have been a working stage, television, and film union actor is a definite plus, and it’s something I convey in my teaching.
Do you see yourself in your students? If so, how does that affect your approach?
Yes, in the sense that they’re young and don’t know much about the art form. I didn’t at their age, either. I love the art form and enhancing each individual’s creativity. Whether they go on to work in theatre or not, they can use those creative skills in any type of business. Creativity is required in every field.
You’ve been involved in the Russell Scholars Program. Please speak to that.
It’s wonderful to have a community where students live together, study together, and have a support system for each other. It really helps students adapt to a new environment of college, and that community helps them make connections between their courses: History links to acting; acting links to writing, and so on. It’s exciting to help students make those connections and to watch those light bulbs go off.
Why did you come to Portland? What’s the appeal of living and teaching here?
USM offered the opportunity to explore my interests. We’ve been able to hold the Southern Maine Theatre Academy for students entering eighth to 12th grade. For 14 years, we’ve run the Michael Chekhov Theatre Institute.
Where do you live and why?
I live in Gorham because it makes sense to be near campus. Some nights I’ll get out of rehearsal at 11-12 at night, so it makes sense to be close by. But Portland is filled with small theatres. We’ve had a number of students intern with Portland Stage Company, and Good Theatre in the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center. The city really has a vibrant arts scene, and for Maine it really is the hub of the arts.
What’s Portland’s best-kept secret?
The plethora of theatre that goes on there. People might not know about that.
