MAINSTAGE

The theatre program offers three mainstage productions each year, in the fall, winter and spring respectively. These productions are the heart of the program and the site of our most intensive practical learning. Under faculty and guest artist supervision, students are involved in every aspect of production including: acting, stage managing, dramaturgy, assistant designing, assistant directing, backstage crew (wardrobe, properties, set), light and sound board operation, set and costume construction and scenic painting. The mainstage has also featured the work of student designers and playwrights.

To see our current season, click here.

To see images from past productions, click here.

A Focus on Student Learning

Whether working on a new play or a classic, student learning is at the center of the process.

More than any other experience at Seattle U, working on a theatre production both challenged me in its work-load and inspired me to think more about myself as an artist. It's hands-on learning at its best and you get to befriend fellow students passionate about theatre.          --Sara Bernert '10

 

Working on a theatrical production at SU is a great learning experience. You get pushed to do your best work and give 100% of your abilities to the task at hand. And the directors and professors are really supportive.  --Kacey Shiflet '12

Getting Involved

Auditions for the fall production are held at the beginning of the quarter. Auditions for the winter and spring productions are held at the end of the preceding quarter. Each production has specific audition requirements depending on the play and the director. Theatre majors and minors are notified of auditions through email.

If you are interested in working on a crew or in the scene shop contact Bob Boehler (scene shop). If you are interested in working on design contact Carol Clay (set and lights) or Harmony Arnold (costume).

Professional Training and Mentoring

Our faculty of professional artists work alongside local guest directors and designers guiding students through a professional production process. Guest directors have included the Associate Artistic Director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Artistic Director of Seattle Shakespeare Company and the Artistic Director of New City Theater. Guest designers work at a variety of theatres in Seattle including A Contemporary Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Children's Theatre and Book-It Repertory to name a few.

When possible and appropriate, productions include professional actors as guest artists. The experience of working closely with seasoned professional actors elevates the work of student actors and creates close mentoring relationships. The theatre division has also partnered with professional theatres in co-productions featuring mixed casts of students and professionals.

New Approaches

The mainstage season also provides a laboratory for exploring new methods of making theatre. Site Specific Cabaret in 2009, arose out of a process in which the design of the space preceded the creation of the work: short new plays were written by a group of writers including theatre faculty Ki Gottberg, students and professional guest artists, specifically for a scenic design created by theatre faculty Carol Clay. Most recently, Writer 1272 explored an eco-friendly approach to creating theatre in which a new work by guest artist Vincent Delaney was staged on the set for the preceding mainstage production Island of Slaves. All the design elements for Writer 1272 were either recycled from Island of Slaves or were culled from found materials. Writer 1272 also had the distinction of being completely student designed.