About VCUarts Theatre
The Department of Theatre educates and trains students in the fields of performance, design / technology, and theatre pedagogy. The department provides students with the professional and cultural foundations essential for achieving the highest standards of the art of theatre.
Our faculty and alumni practice their craft as artists locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. They work on the stage, in TV and films, author books in their disciplines, and hold elected offices in some of the nation’s most prestigious organizations. Collectively, the faculty and staff pride themselves on their ability to help you bridge the gap between life as a student and life as a professional beyond VCU.
Read 2022-23 Department Highlights
Includes exciting alumni news, our 2023 SETC Award Winners, this year’s past mainstage season, and an in depth look at the collaboration “Whitesplaining” and its connection to James H.T. McConnell’s generous donation to the department.
MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS
VCUarts Theatre 2024-25 Mainstage Season
UP NEXT:
Rhinoceros
By Eugène Ionesco
Directed by Jesse Njus
VIEW PAST MAINSTAGES
The department takes pride in our mainstage season which showcases the acting and design talents of our students. You can visit past production photos, videos, playbills and more in our archive.
Photo by Aaron Sutten
VCUarts is grateful to the following Mainstage sponsors:
- Jo Anne Draucker and Jim Thompson
- Sharon Larkins-Pederson and Edson Pederson
- Jerry Williams aka TVJerry
- —————————–
- Rejena Carreras
- Mathis and Stephen Powelson
- Sherry and *Kent Titus
- Lorna and Randy Wyckoff
*deceased
Department Faculty
-
Aaron D. Anderson, Ph.D.
Professor -
Bonnie Brady
Assistant Professor -
Elizabeth Byland
Assistant Professor -
Nicole Cowans
Assistant Professor -
Desirée Dabney
Assistant Professor -
Cass Duimstra
Assistant Professor -
Stephanie “Tippi” Hart
Assistant Professor -
Keith Byron Kirk, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor -
Karen Kopryanski
Associate Professor -
Emily J. Mattison
Assistant Professor -
-
Jesse Njus, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor -
Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.
Professor -
Kendra Rai
Assistant Professor -
Chris Raintree
Assistant Professor -
Wes Seals
Assistant Professor -
Preston Spence
Assistant Professor -
David Emerson Toney
Assistant Professor -
BJ Wilkinson
Assistant Professor -
Jenn Bianchi
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Beth Davis
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Vanessa Jackson
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Katie Jackson
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Irene Kuykendall
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Xiaolin Lan
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Brian Letscher
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Amber M. Martinez
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Janel Miley
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Mariah Taghavie-Moghadam
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Thomas Vecchione
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty -
Kendall Walker
Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
The faculty and staff of the Department of Theatre at VCUarts unequivocally condemn all forms of bigotry, racism, and anti-Blackness. We are determined to support all our students by mindfully creating a culture of both safety and accountability within our department where BIPOC students feel seen and all our students feel valued.
Read the department’s entire Anti-Racism Statement here.
UNDERGRAD PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre
The BFA track is a competitive pre-professional training program with concentrations in Performance, Musical Theatre, Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Stage Management. The BFA curriculum and schedule is intense and focused.
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre
The BA track is designed for students who desire a strong emphasis in theatre combined with a liberal arts education and a minor in another course of study. Students in our BA program pursue interests in areas such as Business, English, Mass Communications, Gender Studies, and Religious Studies to name a few.
Photo by Aaron Sutten
Minors
The department offers a Minor in Theatre and a Minor in Musical Theatre. VCUarts also offers an interdisciplinary Minor in Sound Design.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MFA in Theatre Pedagogy
The Master of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in pedagogy/performance is tailored to prepare early- to mid-career theatre professionals to enter the field of teaching at the university or college level.
This dynamic two-year program combines classes in pedagogy, performance studies, dramaturgy, and critical studies with production work and the opportunity to teach and assist in undergraduate classes.
VCUarts Theatre News
Read More
DEPARTMENT RESOURCES
Current Students
Information for current students including handbooks, department communications, and links to student organizations.
Header image by Aaron Sutten