The Production Season
Almost all classroom work is directly connected to performance/production. We believe that continuous, intense, and dedicated involvement in the theatre as a whole is the best laboratory for the study of our art. The Byrum Performance Center’s season offers 5-6 major productions during the academic year, well over twice as many as other schools our size.
Each of these shows offer students the opportunity to go beyond performing or executing faculty design(s). The program offers properly prepared students in many important design opportunities including scenographer (set designer), lighting designer, costume designer, stage management, properties design, scenic artistry, house management, promotions, technical directions, and other design positions. The season often allows opportunity for student to direct as well. The season always includes works which are entirely student produced—directed, designed and promoted—with the same physical and financial assists given to the program’s faculty and guest directors. Other non-season shows are often developed by majors and produced locally—including dinner theatres, interactive murder mysteries, and improv shows.
Most of the department’s artistic and managerial staff positions are filled by theatre majors/minors. These students are trained and expected to perform at the same functional criteria as expected in the professional theatre. We consider these "real world" experiences to be the strongest element of our program, and that which distinguishes it from any other.
