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.
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.
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 >
Meet a Current Scot
Sasha Hoenie
Hometown: Maryville, Tennessee
Performing at the Clayton Center for the Arts since the age of 8, Sasha knew the venue was fantastic, but the small community of the College has allowed them to better know their professors and peers, find their theatrical niche, and make their voice heard on campus.
Sasha enjoys being a Theatre major as everyone feels involved and gets extensive hands-on experience. “We are able to personalize our experience, with some people pursuing acting, technical theatre, directing, stage management, or theatre education,” they said, mentioning additional opportunities in theatrical publicity, costuming, and choreography. Sasha plans to pursue an acting career post-graduation and recently acted in a short film written and directed by MC alumnus Taylor Wilson ’13.
Meet a Recent Grad
Jenni Cates Rhodes ’24
Currently: Pursuing MFA in Screen Acting from Oklahoma City University
Jenni credits MC’s smaller class sizes for providing her with individualized acting training, better connections with professors and a variety of opportunities she wouldn’t have had at a larger school. “I was able to have leading roles by my sophomore year, which allowed me to build my resume and gain more hands-on experience,” she said. She also gained experience in theatre tech, which set her apart from her peers in the graduate audition process.
A double major in Theatre and ASL-English Interpreting, Jenni was able to work with the Clayton Center for the Arts in making an accessibility internship for herself. “I was able to practice creating more accessible environments for theatergoers before going out into the job market,” she said.
