Department of Theatre

Beki Baker, Assistant Professor and Academic Chair
Larry A. Brown, Professor
David Hardy, Assistant Professor

The Lipscomb University Department of Theatre is an energetic department committed to leading the future in arts education through rigorous training, inter-disciplinary collaboration, and faith-focused community. A cornerstone of the College of Entertainment and the Arts, the Department of Theatre offers world-class education coupled with Christian perspective that does not avoid the difficult or unpleasant, but explores the spiritual response. We believe that God calls us to love our neighbors, and that the immediacy of theatre offers an opportunity to learn love through explorations of the human experience.

B.F.A. in Theatre with Track Emphasis

This pre-professional degree allows the dedicated theatre student an opportunity to take classes geared toward a specific interest in theatre. This degree is appropriate for those who upon graduation wish to go directly into the professional theatre world. It is also designed for those who wish to go to graduate school for an M.F.A.

B.A. Degree in Theatre or Theatre Teaching

The general theatre degree plan is an excellent choice for students who love theatre but also have other interests. Students wishing to double-major in theatre and some other field should pursue the this degree.

Teaching is a noble career, and Lipscomb is known for producing excellent teachers. Students interested in teaching at the elementary, junior high, or high school level should choose the theatre teaching major.

Distinctives of the Theatre Department

Prestigious Advisory Board

Our department boasts an advisory board of Nashville’s finest theatre professionals from the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Studio Tenn, Blackbird Theater Company, and many others.

Artists-in-Residence

Students have the unique opportunity to intern both onstage and behind the scenes with our resident semi-professional theatre company, Blackbird Theater Company, as part of their undergraduate experience. Students also benefit from the numerous professional collaborations produced each year, including companies like the Nashville Shakespeare Festival and the Nashville Repertory Theatre.

Internships

Students are encouraged to participate in internships throughout the city and country. Our students have served at several prestigious theatres including Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, Creed Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Peach State Summer Theatre, Great River Shakespeare Festival and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.

London Study Abroad and New York Trip

Theatre students have a unique opportunity to spend a summer in London studying theatre and attending shows in London’s vaunted West End. Students can also spend one week a year going to New York to see Broadway shows and take workshops. Both trips offer course credit.

Foundation Dance Theatre

Founded by dance faculty members, Foundation Dance Theatre expands the training of Lipscomb students interested in performing dance. FDT hosts auditions every semester for those interested, and all interested may apply. The dance company produces a yearly dance concert titled Elevate.

Strong Professional Connections

Lipscomb is committed to hosting visiting artists with strong professional credentials. Previous artists include Broadway performers Eden Espinosa, Chuck Wagner, Eric Peterson, and Emily Ferranti, among many national touring artists. Major playwrights include John Patrick Shanley, Tina Howe, and Nashville-favorite Nate Eppler. Lipscomb also hires many local artists to share their areas of expertise.

Faculty Are Working Professionals

All of our faculty members currently work or have worked professionally at theatres across the nation. Academic Chair Beki Baker served as Education Director at the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Vali Forrester is Artistic Director of Nashville’s Actors Bridge Ensemble, and Nat McIntyre performed in the Lincoln Center Theatre’s production of War Horse, to name a few.

Career Opportunities

• Actor
• House manager
• Box office manager
• Producer
• Critic
• Director
• Costume draper
• Dresser
• Creative dramatic instructor
• Agent
• Marketing manager
• Choreographer
• Costume designer
• Scenic designer
• Sound engineer
• Technical director
• Voice coach
• Teaching artist
• Artistic director
• Publicity
• Production coordinator
• Costume cutter
• Dramaturg
• Fight choreographer
• Lighting designer
• Casting director
• Props master
• Screenwriter
• Stage manager
• Theatre manager
• Teacher
• Technician

In addition to the fields listed below, there are other less obvious applications of the theatre degree. There has been a growing trend by many graduate programs to encourage undergraduates to get a degree in something that is not directly related to their particular area. Law schools, medical schools and the like are beginning to understand how powerfully the following skills, all integral to theatre training, can equip one for “real life:” working within a deadline, collaborative effort, stamina, conceptual skills, analytical thinking, fiscal responsibility, creativity, communication skills, management skills, organizational ability, making an idea become tangible, creative research, taking direction, problem-solving and the confidence to embrace new ideas.

Program of Study Requirements

Major

Minor