Theater
- Degree Type Bachelor of Arts
- Department Theater, Dance and Film Studies
- Academic Division The College
- Offerings Major Minor
Through the study of the practice and history of theater, students develop aesthetic appreciation for art and culture, learn flexible problem-solving methods, acquire diverse communication skills and employ creative collaborative processes.
Theater
The Theater Program is housed within the Department of Theater, Dance and Film Studies at W&L. Students who wish to deepen their understanding or hone their craft can choose to major or minor in theater.
The department produces a number of theatrical events each year, including plays and musicals. Participation in any department production is open to all students at Washington and Lee. Students do not have to be a major or minor to be involved in a show.
Opportunities
Theater productions take place throughout the academic year. Past productions include:
- 2018–19 “The Cherry Orchard”
- 2018–19 “Vana, Sona, Marsha and Spike”
- 2017–18 “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet”
- 2017–18 “James and the Giant Peach”
- 2016–17 “Sense and Sensibility”
- 2016–17 “Dracula”
Past productions founded by the Robert O. and Elizabeth M. Bentley Endowment for the Performing Arts include:
- 2018–19 “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
- 2017–18 “The Addams Family, a New Musical”
- 2016–17: “Theory of Relativity”
- 2015–6: “Legally Blonde”
- 2014–15: “Monty Python’s Spamalot”
The Richard B. Sessoms Fund for Student Experiences helped to support the following opportunities:
- 2018–19 February Break trip to Washington, D.C.
- 2017–18 February Break trip to Chicago, Illinois
- 2016–17 February Break trip to New York, New York
Owen Collins Publishes Article in the Theatre Design & Technology Journal
The article “Organic Dance Designs” tells the story of the theatrical work of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship.
W&L’s Jemma Alix Levy to Direct Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’
The performances run June 19 through July 14 at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s outdoor stage.
Jordan Peimer Selected as Next Lenfest Center Director
The former executive director of ArtPower at the University of California, San Diego will begin his new role in July.
W&L Presents ‘Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin’
Performances of the high school samurai tale run April 3-5.
Sandberg to Present Nobel Prize Symposium Talk
Stephanie Sandberg, assistant professor of theater, will discuss this year’s Nobel Prize in literature on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 12:15 p.m.
In May, Mary Hipp ’90 said being a member of the second class of women undergraduates at W&L taught her a lot— although she didn’t realize it at the time.
W&L’s recent staging of ‘Speech & Debate’ brought its cast, crew and audience an opportunity to engage with an innovative, collaborative approach to theater.
W&L to Host Free Screening of the Ghana Spring Term Films
The premiere event will be followed by a student-led discussion about their experiences and the creative journey in producing the films.
W&L students in this Spring Term’s “Swedish Theater” course were immersed in culture during their three weeks in Stockholm, Sweden.
W&L’s Finn Connor ’23 Selected for Fulbright to Germany
Connor has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Germany.
Moran is inspired by W&L’s values and commitment to liberal arts education.
W&L’s distinctive summer programming helped Burks-Parra develop her personal and professional interests.
Meet the Faculty
At W&L, students enjoy small classes and close relationships with professors who educate and nurture.
Jenefer M. Davies
Department Head, Theater, Dance and Film Studies; Professor of Dance and Theater
- P: 540-458-8281
- E: daviesj@wlu.edu
Davies teaches courses on contemporary European dance, dance composition, movement for actors and aerial dance techniques. Her research focuses on modern dance composition and the feminine aesthetic.
Owen Collins
Professor of Theater
- P: 540-458-8003
- E: collinso@wlu.edu
Collins teaches courses on stage craft, special effects, performance design, 3D printing for theater, and scene painting/art. His research focuses on new media and technology in contemporary theater practice.
Shawn Paul Evans
Professor of Theater
- P: 540-458-8014
- E: evanss@wlu.edu
Evans teaches courses on the fundamentals of theater, stage management, digital production, lighting and dance production. He has researched theater technology, including automation and motion control.
Jemma Alix Levy
Associate Professor of Theater/Acting, Core Affiliated Faculty, Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program
- P: 540-458-8005
- E: levyj@wlu.edu
Levy teaches courses on acting, directing, Shakespeare and theater history. She is a professional director with critically-acclaimed national and international credits, and for 10 years ran Muse of Fire Theatre Company.
Rob Mish
Adjunct Instructor of Theater
- P: 540-458-8006
- E: rmish@wlu.edu
Mish, a W&L alum, is responsible for the management and operation of the Lenfest Center for the Arts. In addition, he teaches stage acting, Total Theater, Introduction to the Theater, Musical Theater, supervises student internships and will occasionally direct a main stage production.
Stephanie Sandberg
Assistant Professor of Theater/Film
Sandberg teaches courses on screenwriting, documentary filmmaking and an ethnographic study of modern-day slavery in Ghana. Her current research focuses on theater for social justice.