A fund has been established in Jim’s honor to support opportunities to enhance student's theatre education and experience while studying at Western Washington University.
This involves such activities as bringing guest artists to campus to perform (with an emphasis on musical theatre), supporting student voice lessons and opportunities to see and participate in different styles of theatre. Jim is interested in helping students become involved in global theatre, especially in Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Mexico City.
Please give today to support this new Jim Lortz Theatre Enrichment Fund in honor of retiring professor Jim Lortz and carry on his legacy of helping Western's aspiring actors. Follow the "Give" button on this page and select "Jim Lortz Theatre Enrichment Fund" as your gift designation.
About Western's Theatre Arts
Western’s Theatre Arts program is the premiere undergrad program in the Pacific Northwest. With 7-8 shows per academic year, Theatre students collaborate with faculty and peers to create performances the community can enjoy. Students reinforce their major studies in hands-on application of: performing, directing, stage management, choreography, costume creation, scenery design and building, lighting design, sound effects, and backstage "run crew".
Western's theatre productions have persisted through the pandemic by offering livestreamed performances. Cast, crew and production teams carefully coordinated and adapted their work from their individual locations to bring these productions together. Some productions are able to be modified for small teams to safely gather and perform in the theatre, livestreaming the on-stage show for audiences to tune in remotely. As we move toward the reopening of campus facilities, these extensive practices in collaboration and adaptation mean that students won't skip a beat in the valuable education that Western's Theatre Arts program provides.
Your gift supports opportunities!
- Bringing in guest artists, playwrights, and lectures from prestigious institutions around the country
- Supporting student voice lessons
- Networking and public celebration of student success to help build career paths
- Creating educational programs that reach out to youth across the Cascadia region
- Replacing outdated and worn out equipment
- Travel to conferences for workshops, auditions, portfolio reviews and participation in competitions
- Offering Theatre performances for our entire community
- Scholarships for students to participate in prominent arts programs like the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology
