Theatre at Oldfields

The Oldfields Theatre Program is a wonderful way to become well-versed in every aspect of putting on a theatrical performance, including acting, costuming, and stage and light design.  Three major productions are put on each year, including a fall comedy, a winter drama, and a spring musical.  "Acting Intensive" and "Directing and Production" are offered as course credits each year, and include intensive study of playwrights and their dramatic texts.  Independent study is available for students with a serious interest or talent.

Major productions are chosen to dovetail with academic programs.  For example, in 2009, students produced A Voice of My Own by the contemporary playwright Elinor Jones which depicts the struggles of female writers such as Jane Austen, Virginia Woolf, and Sappho, whose works the students studied in English classes.  Other recent productions have included The Fantasticks, The Katrina Project: Hell or High Water, Steel Magnolias, and Regarding Electra.

The David Niven Theatre, where all of our productions are held, is located on campus.   Its technical equipment includes a technologically advanced lighting console with 50 Leiko stage lights and a Comet 1000 spotlight.  Our sound system contains state-of-the-art speakers, backstage montiors, an intercom system, and a 28-channel mixing console.  The facility has a 23 by 27 foot acting stage with an additional four foot stable apron.  The house seats 182 people, and backstage we have dressing, costume, and make-up rooms as well as set storage space. 

All students are encouraged to join Playmakers, the student-run drama lub that meets every other week.