Our Department At a Glance
Students enrolled in the Belmont Theatre and Dance program receive exceptional training in both the theory and practice of theatrical production.
Because our program is small, intimate and studio-based, each of our students is offered intensive personal instruction and is able to explore all aspects of the process of developing a theatre event.
Unlike larger theatre programs where students often wait years for stage time and hands-on experience, our students get started immediately and are often on stage or working behind the scenes during their first semester at Belmont. The advantages of our program include:
- Professional Instruction
Students are taught by professors who, in addition to their academic degrees, possess professional experience and expertise. The faculty also includes instructors who are a part of the Nashville professional theatre community.
- Individual Attention
The number of students allowed in each class ranges from 10 to 20 per course. This gives both teachers and students the opportunity to address course content in an informal discussion setting.
- Practical Experience
Course content is enhanced with hands-on, practical application. Projects and classroom assignments are coordinated with the season of shows produced in our program.
- Studio-Based Learning Model
The Belmont Little Theatre serves as the students' extended classroom as well as a theatrical venue for the Nashville community. Course instruction is complimented by required participation in the full season of shows opened to the public.
- Exposure to the Full Picture
Students work in all aspects of the theatre industry. Actors who understand the details of production work become better actors; designers who understand the issues of actors become better designers; directors who understand the work of designers become better directors.
- A Place to Build Portfolios and Resumes
During their four-year training program, students have abundant opportunity to prepare solid portfolios and resumes. The product helps launch professional careers or entrance into specialized, graduate training programs.
- Workshop Series
In addition to the regularly scheduled academic courses, the department offers a series of specialized workshops. Popular topics include stage dialects, audition techniques, on-camera performance, improvisation, special effects techniques, stage makeup, audio design, and computer-assisted drafting.
- Licensure Program for Theatre and Drama Teachers
Belmont is one of the few universities in the state of Tennessee to offer a professional course of study leading toward certification of Theatre and Drama teachers in the K-12 grade levels. This program is aligned with the Belmont School of Education and meets all accreditation standards.
- Internship Opportunities
Students who have met competencies in specific aspects of the performance and production process are invited to participate in an internship program. This typically occurs at the Junior and Senior levels of study.
- Student Debuts
The Belmont program features public performances of students' directing design and choreography debuts. It also sponsors a script development series that culminates in the performance of an original, student-written play.
- Studies Abroad Opportunities
Students are encouraged to include theatre studies abroad as a part of their training program. The most recent venture was a Winter Session Program, coordinated through the Cooperative Center for Studies Abroad (CCSA), in which students received academic credit for an intensive two-week course in London during the Christmas and New Year's break.
