Explore your love of the stage and the art of dramatic storytelling as a theatre major. From the diverse body of dramatic literature to the sweat-and-greasepaint challenges of staging a production, the Randolph-Macon theatre curriculum provides a strong academic foundation while cultivating the creative problem-solving skills that go into staging a live performance. Theatre program graduates pursue careers as actors, directors, and designers of theatre and film, and in fields including television, production design, non-profit fundraising, web design, public relations and social media, education, and music performance.
Major/Minor Theatre
theatre up close In and Beyond the Classroom
Hands-on Learning
The RMC theatre program stages numerous productions each year; from timeless works of Shakespeare and Greek playwrights, to Broadway favorites and contemporary offerings. As part of a hands-on learning experience, students take lead roles not only as actors but as directors, stage managers, and lighting and scene designers. Participation in Randolph-Macon productions is a central and required part of the theatre curriculum. Trained and directed by nationally-recognized faculty, RMC theatre majors also have opportunities to assist faculty with off-campus theatre work and practically apply classroom learning to the professional stage.
Facilities
Randolph-Macon’s new, state-of-the-art Center for the Performing Arts is the 19,200 square-foot home of the school’s performing ensembles including choir, orchestra, and the RMC theatre program. The new space connects to the original Blackwell Auditorium, built in 1952, and features:
- the Cobb-Kesler studio theater
- Haun Rehearsal Hall
- classrooms, rehearsal space, and faculty offices
- a scene shop for production
- support rooms such as dressing rooms, music storage, and a music library
Haun Rehearsal Hall was carefully designed for acoustic excellence, and offers a flexible space for practice, class, and performance.
Global Education
If all the world’s a stage, traveling to other countries can only expand your understanding and appreciation of theatre in its many forms. RMC Mapping Theatre in Ireland (THEA 220) students traveled to Dublin, Ireland for an immersive learning experience where they gained new insights about the social, cultural and political aspects of the city by reading and analyzing Irish scripts and literature, and attending live theatre performances.
Advising and mentorship
The scale of Randolph-Macon’s theatre program ensures a highly personalized educational experience with numerous opportunities for performers, under the close mentorship of faculty who care.
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29the record for most costume changes in one production
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3-5the number of RMC theatre productions every school year
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630the number of seats in Blackwell Auditorium
Theatre in full Courses You Won’t Want to Miss
(A very small sample)
THEA 115
Introduction to Improvisation
Learn theatre improvisational skills including trust, active listening, ensemble-building, beginning character development, storytelling, physical theatre techniques, and object/environment work.
THEA 210
Theatre for Social Change
Create and examine socially-engaged theatre practices and performance techniques. Investigate and examine ways in which theatre has inspired political action, and reflect upon ideas surrounding both social oppression and social change within a theatrical framework.
THEA 231
Introduction to Theatre Design
Learn the process and techniques of design and drafting scenic and lighting projects for the theatre utilizing Computer Assisted Design (CAD) programs.
Opportunities Worth Grabbing
Popular activities and programs among theatre majors
Theatre Arts Group (TAG)
TAG for short, this is a recreational theatre community, open to theatre majors/minors, and non-majors as well.
Alpha Psi Omega
National Theatre Honor Society
From Here To What you can do with a Theatre degree from RMC
Dean Browell ’98
Feedback Chief Behavioral Officer and Co-Founder
Hidden in Plain Site
“The single biggest influence on my career journey was the liberal arts education I received at RMC. The relationships with my professors, including those not anywhere near my major, was the key element of that education. Randolph-Macon allowed me not only to find myself but hone and develop skills that would take me from the small black box stage as a theatre kid to giant stages as the face and co-founder of a market research firm speaking worldwide. RMC is incredible at facilitating journeys like mine and I’m proud to watch my daughter on hers as a Yellow Jacket as well.”
Kyle ringley ’23
Master’s Candidate, MFA
Northwestern University
Mary Beth Quirk ’02
Human Resources and Finance Administrator
Friends Life Care Partners
melissa mowry ’11
Freelance Director and Teaching Artist
CARRIE BICKFORD ’01
Vice President for Development
Children’s Hospital Foundation
“Today, I match people’s passions with the needs of Richmond’s children’s hospital and regularly use skills I learned from my time in the classroom, on the stage, with my professors and with staff. From helping me secure my first internship which led to my first job, to nurturing my love of fundraising as a student worker in the Advancement Office, every part of my experience as a student felt customized to ensure my success.”
Barry Privett ’93
Owner and Musician
Carbon Leaf
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More to explore 55+ areas of study to discover at RMC
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