Students in a school production dance and jump around another student singing a solo

Theatre

Program Overview
Admissions & Auditions
Degree Courses

Whether it's your love for theatre, professional ambition, or calling to teach that has brought you here, we will guide you into becoming a well-rounded theatre practitioner committed to artistic and academic excellence. After all, our world needs smart, innovative artists. We start with foundational instruction on all theatrical aspects that streamline into more specific courses each year. You'll take part in departmental productions and in the local Nashville theatre scene. Our professional faculty will connect you to outside opportunities. You'll build community in our tight-knit department, where support from the relationships you gain will continue strengthening your career even after graduation day.

Degree Offerings

BFA in Acting

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting is a professional degree built for students intending to pursue a career in the theatre industry or a related field upon graduation. This degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in theatre training. At its core, the BFA in Acting provides well-rounded theatrical training with a primary emphasis on performance. In this degree, students take five acting courses, two stage voice courses, four movement/dance courses, a stage combat course, a screen acting course, two professional development courses, and a host of supportive theatre courses. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities in our five productions each year along with scene work, student films, and Nashville professional opportunities.

BFA in Design and Production

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Productions is a professional degree built for students intending to pursue a career in the theatre industry or a related field upon graduation. This degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in theatre training. At its core, the BFA in Design and Production provides well-rounded theatrical training with a primary emphasis on design. In this degree, students take three foundational design courses, three art/aesthetics courses, a visual history course, design courses in lighting, scenic, and costuming, a design for the screen course, a drafting and rendering course, advanced design courses, and a host of supportive theatre courses. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities in our five productions each year along with scene work, student films, and Nashville professional opportunities.

BFA in Musical Theatre

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre is a professional degree built for students intending to pursue a career in the theatre industry or a related field upon graduation. This degree also prepares students to pursue a graduate degree in theatre training. At its core, the BFA in Musical theatre provides well-rounded theatrical training with a primary emphasis on acting, singing, and dancing. During their tenure in this degree, students take 63 hours in theatre courses as well as 25 hours in music courses. Top musical theatre classes include Musical Theatre Scene Study, Musical Theatre Performance Workshop, Musical Theatre History, and Contemporary Musicals, among others. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities in our five productions each year along with scene work, student films, and Nashville professional opportunities.

BA in Theatre Teaching

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Teaching is designed for students intending to pursue a career in teaching theatre at the elementary, middle school, or high school level. This degree also prepares students to pursue an advanced degree in education. At its core, the BA in Theatre Teaching provides well-rounded theatrical training mixed with superior education courses. In this degree, students take 45 hours in theatre-specific courses, including acting, directing, and design. They also take 30 hours in education courses designed to sharpen their pedagogy skills. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities in our five productions each year along with scene work, student films, and Nashville professional opportunities. All students complete student teaching at an area school before graduation.

Admissions & Auditions

Admission Requirements

Students must audition and interview for admittance into the BFA program and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
BA students are not required to audition/interview.

BFA Musical Theatre Auditions:
Please prepare 16 bars of a Broadway style song and a 60-second monologue that showcases your abilities as a performer. We recommend a contemporary monologue (not from a musical) in a character close to you in age range. Please bring your sheet music marked and ready for the accompanist. Dance call for musical theatre applicants is 9:00 am on the date listed. Remember to bring four copies of your headshot and resume with you. Please affix your resume to the back of your headshot.

BFA Acting Auditions:
Please prepare two contrasting, 60-second monologues (not from musicals, please). We recommend that you select characters close to you in age range. No vocal audition or dance call will be required for this audition. Remember to bring four copies of your headshot and resume with you. Please affix your resume to the back of your headshot.

BFA Design/Directing Interviews:
Please prepare a portfolio and four copies of your resume. Email nemcintyre@lipscomb.edu to sign up for a time or to ask questions about the audition/interview process. We would love to see any work representative of your design and/or directing experience, including (but not required) research, script analysis, renderings, and/or photos of the work.

Audition Information

To schedule an audition, please fill out this form, and/or contact Nat McIntyre at nat.mcintyre@lipscomb.edu. Our upcoming audition dates are:

Saturday, November 14, 2020
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Saturday, March 27, 2021

NOTE: Dance call for Musical Theatre majors will be at 9:00 am each audition date. Also, if you are in town for any of the show weekends, please email nat.mcintyre@lipscomb.edu for prospective student tickets.

Schedule an Audition

Degree Courses

Theatre B.A.

Total hours required: 48

Specific courses required:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2123 - Voice and Diction for the Stage
TH 2143 - Movement for the Stage
TH 2153 - Acting II: Meisner
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3013 - Makeup for the Stage
TH 3133 - Stage Management
TH 3433 - History of Theatre I
TH 3443 - History of Theatre II
TH 4102 - Senior Seminar I

Seven 1-hour practica are required

Six hours theatre electives

Theatre, B.F.A., Acting Emphasis

Total hours required: 66

Specific courses required:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2011 - Contemporary Plays
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2123 - Voice and Diction for the Stage
TH 2143 - Movement for the Stage
TH 2153 - Acting II: Meisner
TH 2253 - Stage Combat
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3013 - Makeup for the Stage
TH 3043 - Acting III: Improvisation
TH 3133 - Stage Management
TH 3163 - Audition Technique
TH 3433 - History of Theatre I
TH 3443 - History of Theatre II
TH 4033 - Acting IV: Period Styles
TH 4013 - Acting V: Shakespeare
TH 4102 - Senior Seminar I
TH 4112 - Senior Seminar II
TH 4903 - Theatre in New York
TH 4nnV - Special Topics (3)

Seven 1-hour practica are required

Theatre, B.F.A., Directing Emphasis

Total hours required: 66

Specific courses required:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2011 - Contemporary Plays
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2123 - Voice and Diction for the Stage
TH 2143 - Movement for the Stage
TH 2153 - Acting II: Meisner
TH 2223 - Playwriting
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3013 - Makeup for the Stage
TH 3043 - Acting III: Improvisation
TH 3073 - Scene Design
TH 3113 - Intermediate Directing
TH 3133 - Stage Management
TH 3433 - History of Theatre I
TH 3443 - History of Theatre II
TH 4023 - Advanced Directing
TH 4102 - Senior Seminar I
TH 4112 - Senior Seminar II
TH 4903 - Theatre in New York
TH 4nnV - Special Topics (3)

Seven 1-hour practica are required

Theatre, B.F.A., Musical Theatre Emphasis

Total hours required: 62

Specific courses required:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2021 - Contemporary Musicals
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2123 - Voice and Diction for the Stage
TH 2131 - Dance Technique: Various styles (8) are required
TH 2143 - Movement for the Stage
TH 2153 - Acting II: Meisner
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3013 - Makeup for the Stage
TH 3153 - Musical Theatre Scene Study
TH 3433 - History of Theatre I
TH 3443 - History of Theatre II
TH 4033 - Acting IV: Period Styles
TH 4043 - Musical Theatre Performance Workshop
TH 4102 - Senior Seminar I
TH 4112 - Senior Seminar II
TH 4903 - Theatre in New York

Seven 1-hour practica are required

Note:

Must complete prescribed minor in Musical Theatre (See School of Music).

Theatre, B.F.A., Design and Production Emphasis

Total hours required: 71

Specific courses required:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
AR 1213 - Color Theory
TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2033 - Fundamentals of Design
TH 2043 - Visual History
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3013 - Makeup for the Stage
TH 3053 - Costume Design
TH 3063 - Lighting Design
TH 3073 - Scene Design
TH 3133 - Stage Management
TH 3173 - Theatre Drafting and Rendering
TH 3433 - History of Theatre I
TH 3443 - History of Theatre II
TH 3491 - Theatre Workshop: Practicum
- This course will be repeated seven times
TH 4102 - Senior Seminar I
TH 4112 - Senior Seminar II
TH 4143 - Design for the Screen
TH 4nnV - Special Topics
TH 4133 - Advanced Design
TH 4903 - Theatre in New York

Theatre Teaching, B.A.

General education required of secondary and K-12 teacher education students:

Specialized professional education:

TH 3403 - Methods of Teaching Theatre

Subject matter specialization:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3043 - Acting III: Improvisation
TH 3073 - Scene Design
TH 3133 - Stage Management
TH 3413 - Creative Dramatics
TH 3433 - History of Theatre I
TH 3443 - History of Theatre II

Three 1-hour practica are required

Musical Theatre Minor

Theatre Minor

Theatre Minor Secondary Emphasis, Acting

Theatre majors may also choose to minor in theatre by choosing from the areas below, or they may seek approval of a course of study designed specifically for their interests.

Total hours required: 18

Specific courses required:

TH 1513 - Acting I: Realism
TH 2153 - Acting II: Meisner
TH 2253 - Stage Combat
TH 4013 - Acting V: Shakespeare
TH 4033 - Acting IV: Period Styles
TH 3043 - Acting III: Improvisation

Dance (Minor)

Theatre Minor Secondary Emphasis, Design/Tech

Theatre majors may also choose to minor in theatre by choosing from the areas below, or they may seek approval of a course of study designed specifically for their interests.

Total hours required: 18

Specific courses required:

TH 2033 - Fundamentals of Design
TH 2043 - Visual History
TH 2453 - Introduction to Technical Theatre
TH 3133 - Stage Management

Choose one from the following:

TH 3033 - Theatre Management
TH 3133 - Stage Management

Select two from the following:

TH 3053 - Costume Design
TH 3063 - Lighting Design
TH 3073 - Scene Design
FD 3053 - Design for the Camera

Theatre Minor Secondary Emphasis, Directing

Theatre majors may also choose to minor in theatre by choosing from the areas below, or they may seek approval of a course of study designed specifically for their interests.

Total hours required: 18

Specific courses required:

TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2113 - Beginning Directing
TH 2223 - Playwriting
TH 3093 - Dramaturgy
TH 3113 - Intermediate Directing
TH 4023 - Advanced Directing

Theatre Minor Secondary Emphasis, Playwriting

Theatre majors may also choose to minor in theatre by choosing from the areas below, or they may seek approval of a course of study designed specifically for their interests.

Total hours required: 18

Specific courses required:

TH 1533 - Text Analysis
TH 2223 - Playwriting
TH 3093 - Dramaturgy
TH 4nnV - Special Topics
FICM 1603 - Screenwriting
EN 2903 - Introduction to Literary Studies or
EN 36n3 - Creative Writing or
EN 3733 - Shakespeare

Contact Information

Undergraduate Admissions

615.966.6123 ext. 6123
admissions@lipscomb.edu

12:1

Student to faculty ratio

Study Abroad

See the world — whether it’s Italy, Austria, Costa Rica, England or another country. Career opportunities will open for you as you sharpen your foreign language skills. Gain the international experience and cross-cultural communication skills you’ll need in our global economy.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Theatre school in Tennessee

Our Faculty

Nat McIntyre

Assistant Professor of Theatre

Nat McIntyre grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and received his B.A. from Eastern Nazarene College in Boston. Immediately following graduation, McIntyre spent a year running a theater program, youth...
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Beki Baker

Chair, Theater

Beki Baker's professional directing credits include "Julius Caesar" (starring Eddie George), "Shakespeare's Case", and "Love Labor's Lost" (AD) for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, where she served as Education Director from...
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Andy Bleiler

Assistant Professor of Theatre

Andy Bleiler is a passionate arts educator whose career has spanned over thirty years as a teacher, designer, technician, director, and performer. He moved to Tennessee with his family from...
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Kari Smith

Instructor

Kari Cherie Smith, a native of Nashville, has enjoyed teaching theatre and dance for over 18 years in the Middle Tennessee area. With a background in performance, dance, directing, education...
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Chelsea Flowers

Technical Director

Chelsea Flowers is an alumna of Lipscomb University Theatre where she received her BFA in Design and Technical Theatre in 2013. Since graduating, she has worked at many regional theatres...
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June Kingsbury

Costume Designer and Shop Manager

June Kingsbury is Lipscomb University's Department of Theatre resident costume designer. She has been costuming Nashville theater productions since 2000. As a theatrical costumer, she has designed shows for Nashville...
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Kym Yates

Office Manager

Kym Yates, born and raised in Tennessee's Cheatham County, serves as the School of Theatre and Cinematic Arts Administrative Assistant. Yates has worked in administrative capacities for 20+ years and...
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Leigh Anne Ervin

Adjunct Faculty

In addition to serving on the teaching faculty at Lipscomb University and St. Cecilia Academy (SCA), Leigh Anne Ervin is director of SCA's Seasons Dance Company and co-director/choreographer for Lipscomb's...
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Vali Forrister

Adjunct Faculty

Vali Forrister is the producing artistic director of the Actors Bridge Ensemble, a professional theater company and actor training program which she co-founded in 1995. She has produced over 90...
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Maggie Pelton

Maggie Pelton grew up in the New Jersey Ballet Company. Her studies expanded to other disciplines while attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Martha Graham and...
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Career Paths

Actors

Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Producers and Directors

Producers and directors create motion pictures, television shows, live theater, commercials, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Set and exhibit designers

Design special exhibits and movie, television, and theater sets. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

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Theatre

Program Overview

Degree Offerings

Admissions & Auditions

Admission Requirements

Audition Information

Degree Courses

Study Abroad

Job placement

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Our Faculty

Nat McIntyre

Beki Baker

Andy Bleiler

Kari Smith

Chelsea Flowers

June Kingsbury

Kym Yates

Leigh Anne Ervin

Vali Forrister

Maggie Pelton

Career Paths

Actors

Producers and Directors

Set and exhibit designers

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