Theatre Arts

The Theatre Arts program prepares artists and leaders for a diverse and challenging job market and, through an integrated curriculum, trains practitioners in the field to impact the development and welfare of their community through viable arts experiences.

What You'll Study

Five areas of theatre arts are the focus of this major: artistic direction, performance, arts management, technical theatre and cultural, critical and historical perspectives.

This array of choices means you can foster whatever artistic interest you have, from on stage to off stage to above the stage! Your courses will range from basic acting to costume design to private voice to directing, and through it all you’ll be surrounded by fellow artists, both students and professors.

Beyond the Classroom

Intern with Lees-McRae’s professional Summer Theatre company, travel to England or New York City during our May term and participate in mock auditions in front of multiple professional companies.

You'll also have the opportunity to travel to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) – the largest theatre conference in the U.S. – with faculty and peers to build connections and find employment.

Theatre Arts Organizations

Alpha Psi Omega National collegiate dramatics honor society
Highlanders

After Graduation

Common Career Areas

• Performance—Actors, Extras, Choreographers,
• Directing—Set Design, Stage Directors, Stage Managers, Creative Directors,
• Educating—Dance Instructor, Drama Teachers, Education, Professor, Secondary Education

Career information is provided through Vault and O'Net. Current Lees-McRae students can see the full results on Vault using their student email and password.

Alumni Success

Technical Direction Graduate Student North Carolina School of the Arts
Performer/Administrative and Production Assistant Luminocity Entertainment Division (L.E.D.)
Stage Manager Riverside Center the Performing Arts
Costume Designer Twin City Stages
Theatre Teacher Rockingham County Schools

Meet the Faculty

Joshua Yoder, MFA
Director of Theatre Arts, Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts

Michael Hannah, PhD
Program Coordinator and Professor of Theatre Arts

Natalie R. Davies, MFA
Assistant Professor

Nicole Sonbert, DMA
Private Voice Instructor

Shauna Godwin, BA
Dance Instructor

Kathleen DenBleyker, MM
Instructor of Music

Allison Bishop, MA
Staff Accompanist

Pam Joslin, BSc
Operations Manager, Theatre Arts Administrative Assistant

Scott Koenig, MFA
Co-technical Director for Theatre Arts

Stacey Trivett, BA
CAPA Director

Janet Barton Speer, PhD
Professor Emeritus
Artistic Director, Summer Theatre

Guest Artists:
Kara Wooten
Dustin Gibson
Todd Teagarden