Professor
Department of Culture, Media, and Performance
Courses
- Introduction to Theatre
- Voice and Speech
- Fundamentals of Acting
- Voice and Interpretation
- Intermediate Acting
- Readers Theatre
- Fundamentals of Directing
- Advanced Acting
Research Interests
- Theater Pedagogy
- Voice Science
- Linguistics
- Phonetics
Student Research Projects
Dr. Pagen has been working with Dr. Kim Steinhauer to bring the Estill Voice Training method to PennWest California. Estill Voice Training is a program of voice science that allows students greater control and protection of their speaking and singing voices. Students intern in this area and are able to study the method at no cost.
Service Learning Projects
Dr. Pagen is the artistic director of the Mon Valley Performing Arts Academy, which offers quality education in the areas of voice, acting and dance to the community. In the summer, the academy offers an intensive two-week program for youths ages 8-17. The program allows participants to study acting, voice and dance, and to perform in a musical at the end of the program.
In The Classroom
"I use active learning techniques in my classroom. Theater lends itself easily to this style. I challenge students to question the world around and beyond."
Favorite Student Story
"Many years ago, a student attended auditions for a show I was directing but just wanted to watch. He was too nervous and uncertain to audition. I tossed him a script and told him (jovially) that his reason was unacceptable. Well, he auditioned and was cast. He is now a professional actor, primarily in musical theater. He has performed in the Radio City Music Hall's ‘Christmas Spectacular' for the past four years."
- B.A.: Theatre, PennWest California
- M.A.: Theatre, Bowling Green State University
- Ph.D.: Theatre, Bowling Green State University