Educating the complete theatre artist and nourishing God’s gifts of creativity, the theatre degree emphasizes collaboration, experimentation and opportunity. With courses in acting, directing, design and technical production, the theatre degree is a synergistic cross section of theatre. The program includes project-based coursework and classical techniques with numerous opportunities for production experience in performance, directing, design and technical production, culminating in the senior capstone project.
Whether you plan to pursue a career in the arts or in another vocation, the program is set up to serve a wide range of interests. With the option to double-major, you can develop a specialization within theatre or expand your studies in an outside field. Interdisciplinary study with intentional creative exploration and storytelling prepares you for a changing marketplace.
Joseph Robinette (C-N class of ’60) authored or co-authored more than 55 published plays and musicals, including A Christmas Story, The Musical, for which he received a Tony Award nomination, a collaboration with E.B. White on the authorized stage adaptation of Charlotte’s Web and the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award-winning adaption of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
• Actor• Lighting designer• Director• Production manager• Stage manager• Technical director
In recent years, students have completed internships, apprenticeships or student teaching with groups like:• The Rose Players (Omaha, Nebraska)• AD Players (Houston, Texas)• Lexington Children’s Theatre• Florida Repertory Theatre• Nashville Repertory TheatreThe theatre program also brings in guest artists to direct and lead workshops as well as providing opportunities to attend two of the premiere theatre/creative conferences in the U.S.
October 1-4The Giver
Adapted by Eric Coble, from the Newbery Award-winning novel by Lois Lowry, Jonas’ world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community. But when Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver—to receive and keep the memories of the community. The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life—and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. Through this astonishing and moving adaptation, discover what it means to grow up, to grow wise, and to take control of your own destiny.
November 12-15Ronald Dahl’s James and the Giant PeachMusic and Lyrics — Benj Pasek and Justin PaulBook — Tim Allen McDonald
A delightfully offbeat musical adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl adventure, with music by the Tony Award-nominated team of Pasek and Paul and a curiously quirky book by Timothy Allen McDonald, critics rave: James and the Giant Peach is a “masterpeach!” When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach… and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach – among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities – but, after it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James’ quick wit and creative thinking, the residents learn to live and work together as a family.
February 19-21The Nerd by Larry Shue
Aspiring young architect Willum Cubbert has often told his friends about the debt he owes to Rick Steadman, a fellow ex-GI whom he has never met but who saved his life after he was seriously wounded in Vietnam. He has written to Rick to say that, as long as he is alive, “you will have somebody on Earth who will do anything for you” – so Willum is delighted when Rick shows up unexpectedly at his apartment on the night of his 34th birthday party. But his delight soon fades as it becomes apparent that Rick is a hopeless “nerd” – a bumbling oaf with no social sense, little intelligence and less tact. Rick stays on, and his continued presence among Willum and his friends leads to one uproarious incident after another, until the normally placid Willum finds himself contemplating violence – which, happily, is staved off by the surprising “twist” ending the play.
April 8-11Into the WoodsMusic and Lyrics — Stephen SondheimBook — James Lapine
The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. Recommended for ages 13+.
The professors in the communications department provided valuable advice, feedback and knowledge and helped bridge the gaps to the networking opportunities that helped me grow.
Each year the theatre program produces three or four full-length productions, a children’s show that serves approximately 3,000 elementary school students and two play festivals. Production Development is a service-learning course that covers the development of a play from writing through production. These experiences build to the senior project — a fully funded production (or equivalent), designed and directed by the student as part of the C-N theatre season.
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