The Theatre Program at MCLA develops innovative theatre artists prepared for careers in theatre and graduate study. In the intimate, culturally rich setting of the Berkshires, students hone their craft through intensive studio training and hands-on experience, within the context of their broader liberal arts education. Opportunities for practical experience abound, from courses in acting, directing, design and production to working alongside a faculty of talented professionals in our award-winning production season. On stage and in the classroom, theatre students at MCLA make theatre of the highest quality, as they explore the rich tradition of this unique, multi-disciplinary art form.
Fall 2023
-Main Stage-
November 3rd-12th, 2023
Directed by Benedetti Fellow, Rudy Ramirez
Set Design by Guest Artist, Calypso Michelet
Costume Design by Associate Professor, Michaela Petrovich
Lighting Design by Associate Professor, Jeremy Winchester
Purchase tickets
-Theatre Lab-
December 1-3, 2023
Directed by senior, Georgia Dedolph, '24
Supervised by Associate Professor, Laura Standley
Costume Design by Guest Artist, Elizabeth Rodio, '21
Set Design by Aedan Maginnis, '25
Lighting Design by Student Designers, TBA
These two short plays will be done together as one evening as part of MCLA's Fornés Festival.
Spring 2024
-Main Stage-
March 29, 30 April 5,6,7, 2024
With no performance on Easter Sunday, (March 31st)
Directed by Associate Professor, Laura Standley
Set Design by Guest Artist, Robin Vest
Costume Design by Guest Artist, Elizabeth Rodio, '21
Student Designers TBA
This performance is being produced as part of MCLA's Fornés Festival.
-Benedetti Theatre Lab-
April 26, 27, 28
Directed by Associate Professor, Jeremy Winchester
Costume and Set Design by Associate Professor, Michaela Petrovich
Lighting Design by Student Designers, TBA
For more information about auditions and production interviews, Click Here.
MCLA and MOSAIC in partnership with the Fine and Performing Arts Department’s Theatre Program is thrilled to present Fornés Festival, a year-long series of events dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Cuban American playwright, Maria Irene Fornés (1930-2018).
The festival is part of the Fornés Institute’s national initiative, "Celebrando Fornés / Celebrating Fornés,” part of their “Decade of Fornés (2021-2030)” events designed to increase the visibility of Fornés’s work. For more information, see our festival website: Fornés Festival.
All MCLA students can take Theatre courses and participate in productions. For students who are serious about pursuing their interest in Theatre, the program offers several different degree options including:
Our theatre courses allow you to combine the best of both worlds: the artistic discipline and training of an intense studio program with the intellectual rigor and scholarly breadth of a liberal arts education. We offer more than 25 courses in acting, directing, design, production and theatre studies. In addition, we provide extensive hands-on opportunities for students to practice their craft, both independently and in collaboration with faculty and guest artists, in the program's award-winning Theatre Program season.
The Theatre Program’s production season includes at least 4 theatre productions a year, carefully selected to complement the curriculum and one another. Season roles are performed by students, with the occasional guest artists or faculty spotlight performer. Students also stage-manage all season productions, work running crew, build sets, hang lights, and build costumes. All theatre students are strongly encouraged to participate behind the scenes as well as onstage.
The Theatre Program season also features student-directed productions and offers design opportunities for students in every field. In addition, directing students serve as assistant directors and dramaturgs on our productions, and design students work closely with resident and guest artists as assistant designers.
We believe an organic connection exists between a well designed production season and the classroom. A diverse season provides students with a faculty mentored experience in professional theatre as well as exposure to a wide range of styles and forms. The Theatre Program season is a laboratory where students explore theatre’s many experiences in order to find where they excel.
The season typically features most or all of the following:
In addition to offering experience producing plays, the production season offers outreach events such as panel discussions, audience talk-backs, and critical response sessions where students and faculty can engage across campus in valuable critical discussion of methods, performance, styles, etc. These events connect across the curriculum and are offered, when appropriate, in partnership with MCLA’s Undergraduate Research Conference.
The Theatre Program features internship and future employment opportunities enhanced through MCLA’s deep connections with the diverse and world class cultural institutions of the Berkshires. MCLA Theatre students have completed internships at:
For more information contact Department Chair Jerome Socolof or Department Administrative Assistant Terrie Pratt.
