Tyler Donahue will graduate from Western Connecticut State University today with a B.A. in theater arts design and technology. He is among the first graduates of the university's new School of Visual and Performing Arts.

DANBURY -- Tyler Donahue entered WestConn as a media major four years ago. But when he took a technical theater class with professor Frank Herbert, he became hooked on the theater. The 21-year-old New Milford resident soon began working on university theater productions in Scotland, Ecuador and Phoenix, Ariz.

Today he earns his bachelor's degree in theater arts from Western Connecticut State University, the first year art, music and theater arts operate as the School of Visual and Performing Arts. Donahue is among 12 theater arts students graduating this month. There are about 65 students in the department, which broke away from the communication arts department three years ago. He's among 850 students who earned undergraduate diplomas this year. About 650 are expected to attend the commencement ceremony on the university's westside campus.

The university's first separate graduate degree commencement ceremony was held Friday, with about 100 students in attendance.

In the past, graduate students had their commencement with the undergraduates. Donahue hopes to get a job as a shop carpenter with a regional theater and make his way to New York City in a set design shop in the next five years. "It's just one of the most exciting things I've ever experienced -- putting up a show and having people enjoy it, experience it, and let it sink in as a piece of art."

WestConn also gave him a $500 award, called the Clarke Dunham Theatre Design Award. Donahue won the award because of his design and set construction for the theater department's productions of "Pirates of Penzance" and "Trial by Jury" this spring. He also designed the set for WestConn's off-Broadway production of "Iphigenia," which the students produced and will perform at the 45th Street Theater in New York City on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Herbert praised Donahue as being competent as an actor and technical designer. "He has the aptitude and the attitude for solving the problems in his craft," Herbert said. "He was my first intern technical director. He's done everything we have to do here from sewing fabric to welding steel tubing."

Department chairman Sal Trapani said Donahue took advantage of the program to travel and expand his skills. "He's an excellent student -- very, very conscientious. He got the most out of what classes offered. He really blossomed," Trapani said.

Contact Eileen FitzGerald at eileenf@newstimes.com or at (203) 731-3333.