Department of Theatre

Beki Baker, M.F.A. Associate Professor, Chair
Christopher Bailey, PhD. Associate Professor, Director of Musical Theatre
Andy Bleiler, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Director of Design
Nathaniel McIntyre, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Director of Acting
Kari Smith, M.F.A. Assistant Professor, Director of Theatre Education
June Kingsbury, Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager
Hendrick Shelton, MEd. Technical Director
Kym Yates, Office Manager

Department Mission

Lipscomb University’s Department of Theatre is a mentor-based professional training program committed to preparing students for a career in theatre through rigorous artistic training, enriching liberal arts education, and Christ-centered community. On our stages, you will join the next generation of artists cultivating the discipline and passion it takes to impact communities and make a difference. Discover how your talent and training can come together to guide you into a meaningful and influential artistic life.

B.F.A. 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 B.F.A. 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 each year along with scene work, staged readings, cabarets, student films, and professional opportunities. There is a required audition and interview process for this degree.

B.F.A. 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 B.F.A. 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 media course, a drafting and rendering course, advanced design courses, and a host of supportive theatre courses. Additionally, there are numerous mainstage opportunities each year along with scene work, staged readings, student films, and professional opportunities. There is a required portfolio and interview process for this degree.

B.F.A. 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 B.F.A. 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. 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 each year along with scene work, staged readings, cabarets, student films, and professional opportunities. There is a required audition and interview process for this degree.

B.A. in Theatre Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education 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 B.A. in Theatre Education 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. There is a required interview process for this degree.

Distinctives of the Theatre Department

Faith and Art Intersection

Central to our artistic work is the cornerstone of faith. We explore the intersection of faith and art through coursework, productions, community, and everyday life. Our department is committed to exploring the realities of the human experience through the lens of Christian faith. We do not pretend to have our faith figured out, but rather use art as a means to wrestle with our belief systems and practices. Ultimately, we use theatre as a means to better love our neighbor, ourselves, and God.

Professional Experiences

Our department collaborates with professional theatre companies including the Nashville Repertory Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Studio Tenn, and more. We also hire professionals to perform, direct, and design with us on our stages. These experiences not only adds lines to their resumes, but also opportunities to learn from professionals and network for the future.

Dance Company

Foundation Dance Theatre (FDT) is our resident dance company. It’s mission is to create movement that tells strong stories through all styles of dance including jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, musical theatre, and more. Company members include Lipscomb students with a strong dance background from all over campus. This is an audition-based company. Their annual dance concert, Elevate, is one of the highlights of the production season.

Film Opportunities

Theatre boasts a unique relationship with the Department of Film and Creative Media, which together make the School of Theatre and Cinematic Arts. With this intentional relationship, theatre students have special opportunities to develop film skills by participating in student films and class projects. Every year, theatre students perform in and create their own films for the university’s Five-Minute Film Festival. We also offer courses focused on helping performance majors transition their theatre skills to screen acting.

Internships

Students are encouraged to participate in internships throughout the city and country. Our students have served at several prestigious theatres including the Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Studio Tenn, Berkshire Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Company, Creed Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Peach State Summer Theatre, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Des Moines Metropolitan Opera, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Aspen, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Okoboji Summer Theatre, and more.

London Study Abroad and New York Trip

Through Lipscomb’s Department of Theatre, you will have a unique opportunity to spend 10 days in London studying theatre and attending productions at the acclaimed National Theatre and Globe Theatre, as well as on the West End. This trip also counts as credit for student’s required Theatre History II course. The department is developing a trip to New York City for students to meet with industry professionals and see Broadway shows.

Opportunities & Careers

When you graduate from our department, you will have the skills to work in many entertainment-related positions. During your college career, you will be strongly encouraged to pursue internships to prepare for the industry and to establish strong networking connections. You will develop as a well-rounded artist who can work in a variety of positions.

You may also want to pursue less obvious applications of theatre degrees. Law schools, business schools, and companies of all kinds understand how theatre training can equip someone with integral life skills, including outstanding collaboration, stamina, conceptualization, analytical thinking, communication, management skills, and creative problem-solving.

Program of Study Requirements

Major

Minor