Why study Theatre Studies at MC?

Theatre is an interdisciplinary art, making it a perfect field of study at a liberal arts college. As a Theatre major at Maryville College, you will hone your skills in every area of theatre production, including acting, directing, stagecraft, play analysis and arts management. The size of the program means ample opportunities for students both on stage and behind the scenes; moreover, it allows for one-on-one interaction with faculty, staff and students. Graduates of the program go into a wide variety of fields after finishing their studies. Theatre majors learn and develop skills that all employers are looking for: leading and collaborating with diverse groups of people, staying on budget, working on a tight timeline and working under pressure.

MC Theatre Department

For more information about Theatre at Maryville College, please visit the Theatre department webpage.


ON CAMPUS OPPORTUNITIES

The College’s Chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, a national theatre honor society, sponsors a variety of events each year, such as the annual Ghost Tour. Those students also travel to a conference each year, such as the Southeastern Theatre Conference. APO typically produces two student-directed plays each year. Recent productions include an original musical by Leonard Lively (’19) celebrating the College’s Bicentennial titled Sturdy as a Rock and Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche by Andrew Hobgood and Evan Linder. 

The Clayton Center for the Arts provides internships for students interested in all areas of theatre production. Students get “real-world” experience loading in touring productions, running light and sound for on-campus events, and working backstage for productions large and small. In addition, students can work in arts administration positions, learning about marketing, scheduling, and sales.

CLAYTON CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The $47-million Clayton Center for the Arts opened in 2010. Home to the College’s Fine Arts Division and a gathering place for the community where the arts and culture of the region are celebrated, the Clayton Center gives theatre students opportunities to work on national and international tours that perform in the Center’s outstanding venues. The facility includes: the 1,200-seat Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre (proscenium theatre with continental seating), the 200-seat Haslam Family Flexible Theatre, the 252-seat Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall, state-of-the-art classrooms, costume and scene shops, and multiple dressing rooms.

 

Scholarships, Awards, & Auditions

The Division of Fine Arts offers several opportunities to both first-year and returning or transfer students based on academic achievement, interest areas, leadership and talent. Learn More about the awards and qualifications >

Photo of Connor Goins

Connor Goins

Hometown: Cleveland, Tennessee

While deciding on the best institution at which to receive a college education, Connor knew immediately upon seeing the Clayton Center for the Arts that Maryville College was to be his destination.

As a Theatre major with a focus in costume design and a minor in Art, he’s become active on stage in more ways than one: performing with vocal ensembles Off Kilter, the Lads, the Maryville College Concert Choir and the MC Recital Choir; acting in productions by the MC Theatre Department and with local troupes like Flying Anvil Theatre and Scenic City Dance Company. 

“One of my favorite things about MC Theatre is the hands-on experience we get as soon as we arrive,” Goins said. “In my few years here, I have already been given such opportunities to design and perform with local theatre companies, as well as to work in the wardrobe department of the national touring production of a Broadway show. All of this was given to me through my connections at Maryville College.”

 

Photo of Bailey Holt

Bailey Holt ’20

Currently: With the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Memphis, Tennessee

Theatre Studies at Maryville College continue to open doors for Bailey Holt. 

After graduation, she enrolled in Shenandoah University’s master’s program in Performing Arts Leadership and Management, completing her degree in May 2022 and moving to Memphis, where she’s now part of the team at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

“I owe a lot to the Theatre Studies degree track,” Holt said. “The technical work on productions and leadership opportunities were fantastic hands-on experiences, but doing it alongside the academic structure truly prepared me for working in the field while I earned my master’s degree at the same time.

“The knowledge I gained from my classes and production work gave me the confidence to work alongside my peers in graduate school, some of whom had many years of experience in the industry, and in my current job.”

 

Assistant Dean for Academic Success, Professor of Theatre
Dr. Heather McMahon
Assistant Dean for Academic Success, Professor of Theatre
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Visiting Lecturer in Theatre
Andy Vaught
Visiting Lecturer in Theatre
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Adjunct Instructor of Theatre
Terry Silver-Alford
Adjunct Instructor of Theatre
More Info

Students successfully completing the program of study will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

  1. Identify, describe, and compare major movements of theatre history and dramatic literature.
  2. Analyze dramatic literature from the perspective of a theatre practitioner.
  3. Apply acting vocabulary and techniques in auditions, the rehearsal process, and in performance.
  4. Implement the principles of design, industry-standard construction techniques, and proper use of equipment in all areas of technical theatre.
  5. Synthesize the artistic and practical methods of stage directors with a knowledge of acting and technical theatre in order to create a fully realized production.
  6. Evaluate productions and communicate the results of those evaluations with precision and clarity.
  7. Articulate the various roles of theatre in society, as well as a variety of perspectives regarding the value of theatre in society.

The Major in Theatre Studies consists of 48 hours in a broad range of theatre classes, performance, and production opportunities.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

THT 204 and THT 304: 4 credit hours are required for each course

THT 101: Introduction to Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 204: Theatre Production(1 hrs)
THT 209: Play Analysis(3 hrs)
THT 211: Stagecraft(3 hrs)
THT 213: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design(3 hrs)
THT 221: Acting I: Physical and Vocal Preparation(3 hrs)
THT 222: Acting II: Creating the Character(3 hrs)
THT 299: Professional Practices in Theatre(1 hrs)
THT 304: Advanced Theatre Production(2 hrs)
THT 311: Directing(3 hrs)
THT 316: Theatre History I(3 hrs)
THT 317: Theatre History II(3 hrs)
THT 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
THT 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)

An additional 6 hours may be earned from any combination of the following:

THT 149, THT 249, and THT 349: With advisor approval

THT 204: Up to 2 more hours

THT 304: Up to 4 more hours

THT 149: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 249: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 349: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 204: Theatre Production(1 hrs)
THT 208: Playwriting(3 hrs)
THT 214: Lighting Design(3 hrs)
THT 215: Audio Production(3 hrs)
THT 216: Scene Design(3 hrs)
THT 217: Costume Design(3 hrs)
THT 223: Voice and Movement(3 hrs)
THT 224: Improvisation for the Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 225: Acting for the Camera(3 hrs)
THT 226: Acting in Shakespeare(3 hrs)
THT 304: Advanced Theatre Production(2 hrs)
THT 337: Internship(7-15 hrs)
Applied Music: Voice
PHR 122: Dance(1 hrs)
PHR 123: Tap Dance(1 hrs)
ENG 332: Shakespeare(3 hrs)

The Minor in Theatre Studies requires the completion of 18 hours.

Required courses include:

Minor and Minor-Related Courses

THT 204: 4 credit hours are required. The Theatre Studies minor requires 18 hours total.

THT 101: Introduction to Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 204: Theatre Production(1 hrs)
An additional 11 hours in Theatre courses at the 200 or 300 level

The Major in Theatre Studies for Teacher Licensure consists of 36 hours in theatre studies and 42 hours in educator preparation courses.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

THT 204: 6 hours are required

THT 101: Introduction to Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 204: Theatre Production(1 hrs)
THT 208: Playwriting(3 hrs)
THT 209: Play Analysis(3 hrs)
THT 211: Stagecraft(3 hrs)
THT 221: Acting I: Physical and Vocal Preparation(3 hrs)
THT 222: Acting II: Creating the Character(3 hrs)
THT 311: Directing(3 hrs)
THT 316: Theatre History I(3 hrs)
THT 317: Theatre History II(3 hrs)

An additional 3 hours earned from any combination of the following courses:

THT 149, THT 249, and THT 349: With advisor approval

THT 149: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 249: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 349: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 213: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design(3 hrs)
THT 214: Lighting Design(3 hrs)
THT 215: Audio Production(3 hrs)
THT 216: Scene Design(3 hrs)
THT 217: Costume Design(3 hrs)
THT 223: Voice and Movement(3 hrs)
THT 224: Improvisation for the Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 225: Acting for the Camera(3 hrs)
THT 226: Acting in Shakespeare(3 hrs)
THT 304: Advanced Theatre Production(2 hrs)
THT 337: Internship(7-15 hrs)
ENG 332: Shakespeare(3 hrs)

Educator Preparation Courses

PSY 101: Introductory Psychology(3 hrs)
PSY 218: Adolescent Development(3 hrs)
EDU 202: Educational Technology(3 hrs)
EDU 299: Contemporary and Professional Issues in Education(1 hrs)
EDU 300: Field Experience(1 hrs)
EDU 301: Models of Classroom Management & Instruction(3 hrs)
EDU 312: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners(3 hrs)
EDU 321: Disciplinary Literacy Methods(3 hrs)
EDU 333: Applied Pedagogy(3 hrs)
EDU 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
EDU 352: Senior Study II: Professional Seminar(3 hrs)
EDU 403: Clinical Practice for PK12/Secondary (10)(10 hrs)
EDU 411: Educational Assessment & Evaluation(3 hrs)

The Major in Theatre Studies: Design and Technology Track consists of 51-52 hours in a broad range of theatre classes and production opportunities.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

THT 204 and THT 304: A total of 4 credit hours are required

THT 101: Introduction to Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 204: Theatre Production(1 hrs)
THT 209: Play Analysis(3 hrs)
THT 211: Stagecraft(3 hrs)
THT 213: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design(3 hrs)
THT 221: Acting I: Physical and Vocal Preparation(3 hrs)
THT 299: Professional Practices in Theatre(1 hrs)
THT 304: Advanced Theatre Production(2 hrs)
THT 311: Directing(3 hrs)
THT 316: Theatre History I(3 hrs)
THT 317: Theatre History II(3 hrs)
THT 337: Internship(7-15 hrs)
THT 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
THT 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)

And three of the following courses:

THT 149, THT 249, and THT 349: With advisor approval

THT 149: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 249: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 349: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 214: Lighting Design(3 hrs)
THT 215: Audio Production(3 hrs)
THT 216: Scene Design(3 hrs)
THT 217: Costume Design(3 hrs)
ART 102: Introduction to Two- Dimensional Design(4 hrs)
ART 110: Painting and Drawing I(4 hrs)

The Major in Theatre Studies: Performance Track consists of 51 hours in a broad range of theatre classes and performance opportunities.

Required courses include:

Major and Major-Related Courses

THT 204 and THT 304: A total of 4 credit hours are required

THT 101: Introduction to Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 204: Theatre Production(1 hrs)
THT 209: Play Analysis(3 hrs)
THT 211: Stagecraft(3 hrs)
THT 221: Acting I: Physical and Vocal Preparation(3 hrs)
THT 222: Acting II: Creating the Character(3 hrs)
THT 299: Professional Practices in Theatre(1 hrs)
THT 304: Advanced Theatre Production(2 hrs)
THT 311: Directing(3 hrs)
THT 316: Theatre History I(3 hrs)
THT 317: Theatre History II(3 hrs)
THT 351: Senior Study I(3 hrs)
THT 352: Senior Study II(3 hrs)

And 12 hours chosen from the following courses:

THT 149, THT 249, and THT 349: With advisor approval

Applied Music: Voice: Can be taken up to 3 times

THT 149: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 249: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 349: Selected Topics(3 hrs)
THT 223: Voice and Movement(3 hrs)
THT 224: Improvisation for the Theatre(3 hrs)
THT 225: Acting for the Camera(3 hrs)
THT 226: Acting in Shakespeare(3 hrs)
Applied Music: Voice
PHR 122: Dance(1 hrs)
PHR 123: Tap Dance(1 hrs)

In addition to required courses for majors and minors, Maryville College students take classes in the Maryville Curriculum, a core program of general education. Consisting of 51 credit hours, the Maryville Curriculum ensures that students see their major in a wider context and develop the basic communication, quantitative, and critical thinking skills that are needed for success in college and career.

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