Department of Theatre

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

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VCUarts Theatre 2023-24 Mainstage Season

Let The Right One In
by Jack Thorne
Adapted from the novel by John Avid Lindqvist
October 5th – 8th, 2023

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

VCU Department of Theatre Mainstage Tickets here

Department Faculty

Aaron D. Anderson, Ph.D.

Professor
Bonnie Brady

Assistant Professor
Nicole Cowans

Assistant Professor
Desirée Dabney

Assistant Professor
Stephanie “Tippi” Hart

Assistant Professor
Keith Byron Kirk, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Karen Kopryanski

Associate Professor
Emily J. Mattison

Assistant Professor
Bonnie McCoy

Assistant Professor

Chair
Jesse Njus, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Sharon Ott

Associate Professor
Jill Parzych

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
Nia Safarr Banks

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Jenn Bianchi

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Elizabeth Byland

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Jeff Darland

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Beth Davis

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Ashley Grantham

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Vanessa Jackson

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Xiaolin Lan

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Brian Letscher

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Amber M. Martinez

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Elyssa Mersdorf

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Janel Miley

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Mariah Taghavie-Moghadam

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty
Thomas Vecchione

Instructor/Adjunct Faculty

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Full Faculty Directory

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

director speaking to v c u arts students

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.

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Virtual Tour

Watch a virtual tour of our facilities with a current undergraduate student

graphic with text frequently asked questions

Undergraduate Program FAQ's

Find answers to many applicant questions in our frequently asked questions.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

v c u arts students participate in class

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.

MFA in Costume Design

The MFA in Theatre with a concentration in Costume Design provides the foundation of theatre studies synthesized with intense and professional practicum. The MFA program in Costume Design/Technology implements professional and cultural experiences essential for achieving the highest standards of theatre.

Photo by Aaron Sutten