English majors have a close relationship with the campus drama team, Eden Troupe. In the past, Eden Troupe has provided English majors opportunities such as producing an original play or original script, as well as providing many opportunities to adapt the literature learned in the classroom to the stage.
In the past, faculty members have led literary tours of Great Britain. Students visited sights such as the London locales of Samuel Johnson, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, and John Donne; George Herbert's Salisbury and nearby scenes like Stonehenge; Jane Austen's Bath; The Lake District (home to William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, and Beatrix Potter); C.S. Lewis's Oxford, and more.
Students often get the opportunity to hear from modern authors. Recent speakers include Chinese activist, writer and poet Liao Yiwu, Nate Wilson, author of the popular Notes From The Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World, Ann Voskamp, author of the bestselling book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, Michael Flaherty, founder of Walden Media, and Bill Bennett, host of "Bill Bennett's Morning in America" and author of the popular Book of Virtues, Children’s Book of Virtues, and most recently, The Book of Man. Other authors include Patrick Henry biographer Thomas Kidd, Charles Murray, and Richard Platt, author ofAs One Devil to Another.
Patrick Henry College has a variety of outlets for literary endeavors. Westmarch is a student-run print and online publication featuring original poetry, fiction, and critiques. The Herald, a student-news publication, offers an outlet for news stories, opinions, and other non-fiction writing.
Founded in 2005 to produce and distribute student productions, Streaming Media Network has grown over the years to produce web series and movie shorts. SMN provides members with experience in directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, makeup, lighting and acting. Student members have produced and directed several web series, short films, and sponsored student film exposes. Produced genres include music videos, love stories, documentaries, dramas, and mockumentaries.
Northern Virginia and the D.C. area offers PHC English majors many opportunities to interact with both literature and with our culture. With everything from festivals to plays, there are many unique opportunities for PHC students to interact with literature.
