The artist-scholar. That is the animating principle behind Middlebury Theatre, where students immerse themselves in all aspects of theatre making and in the rigorous study of theatre’s many histories, theories, practices, and literatures.

Through a process that is both creative and collaborative, students delve into the latest movements in theatre design, acting, stage management, playwriting, and directing. 



At its core, the department aims to be an artistic home where students reimagine traditional distinctions and strive to become innovators and collaborators, capable of shaping our culture.



 

Interdisciplinary Curriculum

The Theatre Department offers a diversity of courses designed to provide a balance between the study of history, literature, and theory, and the making of theatre.   

Theatre itself is inherently interdisciplinary, and our students enjoy exploring connections between classes offered in dramatic literature, visual creativity, the creative process, playwriting, acting (improvisation, scene study, acting styles), directing, set design, lighting design, and costume design. As a program in a liberal arts setting, students also reference classes taken outside the discipline in order to provide depth and context.

The Dogteam Theatre Project

Introducing The Dogteam Theatre Project

The Dogteam Theatre Project provides transformative experiences for emerging and professional artists, creating meaningful theatrical engagements for diverse audiences. Among its programs, the Dogteam Theatre Project provides training opportunities for emerging theatre artists in all realms of the field, including but not limited to acting, directing, playwriting, and design disciplines. The Dogteam Theatre Project produces theatrical works, including works in translation, reflecting the stories of our more connected world.

 

The Seeler Studio Theatre in the Mahaney Arts Center.

Our Facilities

The performing arts are central to Middlebury’s life and culture. Students have a multitude of facilities available for their use, including a design lab with plotters, drafting, and rendering stations, two scene and costume shops, a lighting lab equipped with a grid and an ETC Ion console, and acting labs. Venues include Wright Memorial Theatre, Seeler Studio Theatre, and Hepburn Zoo Theatre. 

 

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Seeler Studio Theatre

The Seeler Studio Theatre is a modern black-box theatre with flexible seating for up to 165 audience members, a full catwalk system, and a fully-equipped shop adjacent to it. 

Wright Memorial Theatre

Wright Memorial Theatre is a 350-seat proscenium theatre with a full fly system, lighting grid, and removable fore stage. It is adjacent to a fully equipped scene shop. 

Learning Spaces

- Rehearsal Studios
- Design Studios
- Lighting Lab
- Scene Shops
- Costume Shops
- Hepburn Zoo Theatre

Featured Events

More Events
  • close-up of a brown dog

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance by Dominic Finocchiaro
    Norma found a dog! Norma is a professional cuddler in Seattle, one of the first in the field. Her quest to return the dog to its rightful family leads Norma to curious encounters and the possibility of a second chance at love. This quirky romantic comedy about loneliness, oxytocin, and the healing power of Whitney Houston, explores the necessity and dangers of touch, the importance of pets, and the joy of ribbon dancing! Directed by Olga Sanchez Saltveit.

    Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre

    Open to the Public
  • close-up of a brown dog

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance by Dominic Finocchiaro
    Norma found a dog! Norma is a professional cuddler in Seattle, one of the first in the field. Her quest to return the dog to its rightful family leads Norma to curious encounters and the possibility of a second chance at love. This quirky romantic comedy about loneliness, oxytocin, and the healing power of Whitney Houston, explores the necessity and dangers of touch, the importance of pets, and the joy of ribbon dancing! Directed by Olga Sanchez Saltveit.

    Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre

    Open to the Public
  • close-up of a brown dog

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance by Dominic Finocchiaro
    Norma found a dog! Norma is a professional cuddler in Seattle, one of the first in the field. Her quest to return the dog to its rightful family leads Norma to curious encounters and the possibility of a second chance at love. This quirky romantic comedy about loneliness, oxytocin, and the healing power of Whitney Houston, explores the necessity and dangers of touch, the importance of pets, and the joy of ribbon dancing! Directed by Olga Sanchez Saltveit.

    Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre

    Open to the Public
  • close-up of a brown dog

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance

    The Found Dog Ribbon Dance by Dominic Finocchiaro
    Norma found a dog! Norma is a professional cuddler in Seattle, one of the first in the field. Her quest to return the dog to its rightful family leads Norma to curious encounters and the possibility of a second chance at love. This quirky romantic comedy about loneliness, oxytocin, and the healing power of Whitney Houston, explores the necessity and dangers of touch, the importance of pets, and the joy of ribbon dancing! Directed by Olga Sanchez Saltveit.

    Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre

    Open to the Public
  • The Worst Mother in the World by Kari Bentley-Quinn

    New mom Nina has a healthy baby boy, a loving husband…and is struggling with terrifying nightmares and anxiety attacks. Her therapist, Bonnie, is trying to help her discover how she can be a better mother to her infant son. In the meantime, Bonnie’s estranged daughter, Mary, arrives home with some life changing news. When Nina and Mary become friends, Bonnie’s professional and personal life gets a lot more complicated.

    Hepburn Zoo

  • Poster with text: Auditions, April 12, 6-9pm

    Theatre Department Auditions for Fall '24 Productions

    The Theatre Department invites ALL STUDENTS to audition for the FAll ‘24 faculty directed production of: King Lear by William Shakespeare. Adapted and directed by Michole Biancosino.
    Come to the MAC lobby at 5:45pm to sign up for a slot. We will hear people individually in the order they have signed up. All are requested to have a 45 - 60 second monologue, memorization and preparation are strongly preferred. Please choose a monologue that uses heightened language (for example, Shakespeare or other classical texts).

    Mahaney Arts Center 232

    Closed to the Public
  • The Worst Mother in the World by Kari Bentley-Quinn

    New mom Nina has a healthy baby boy, a loving husband…and is struggling with terrifying nightmares and anxiety attacks. Her therapist, Bonnie, is trying to help her discover how she can be a better mother to her infant son. In the meantime, Bonnie’s estranged daughter, Mary, arrives home with some life changing news. When Nina and Mary become friends, Bonnie’s professional and personal life gets a lot more complicated.

    Hepburn Zoo

  • The Worst Mother in the World by Kari Bentley-Quinn

    New mom Nina has a healthy baby boy, a loving husband…and is struggling with terrifying nightmares and anxiety attacks. Her therapist, Bonnie, is trying to help her discover how she can be a better mother to her infant son. In the meantime, Bonnie’s estranged daughter, Mary, arrives home with some life changing news. When Nina and Mary become friends, Bonnie’s professional and personal life gets a lot more complicated.

    Hepburn Zoo

  • The Worst Mother in the World by Kari Bentley-Quinn

    New mom Nina has a healthy baby boy, a loving husband…and is struggling with terrifying nightmares and anxiety attacks. Her therapist, Bonnie, is trying to help her discover how she can be a better mother to her infant son. In the meantime, Bonnie’s estranged daughter, Mary, arrives home with some life changing news. When Nina and Mary become friends, Bonnie’s professional and personal life gets a lot more complicated.

    Hepburn Zoo

  • Airswimming by Charlotte Jones

    Charlotte Jones’ Airswimming follows the story of Dora Kitson and Persephone Baker, two unlikely friends who are confined to life in St. Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane beginning in the 1920s. Watch the evolution of their relationship - one of friendship, familial love, and romantic tension - as they cope with the pressure of 50 years of isolation by forming alter egos: bibliophile Dorph and Doris-Day-loving Porph.

    Hepburn Zoo

    Open to the Public
  • Airswimming by Charlotte Jones

    Charlotte Jones’ Airswimming follows the story of Dora Kitson and Persephone Baker, two unlikely friends who are confined to life in St. Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane beginning in the 1920s. Watch the evolution of their relationship - one of friendship, familial love, and romantic tension - as they cope with the pressure of 50 years of isolation by forming alter egos: bibliophile Dorph and Doris-Day-loving Porph.

    Hepburn Zoo

    Open to the Public
  • Airswimming by Charlotte Jones

    Charlotte Jones’ Airswimming follows the story of Dora Kitson and Persephone Baker, two unlikely friends who are confined to life in St. Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane beginning in the 1920s. Watch the evolution of their relationship - one of friendship, familial love, and romantic tension - as they cope with the pressure of 50 years of isolation by forming alter egos: bibliophile Dorph and Doris-Day-loving Porph.

    Hepburn Zoo

    Open to the Public
  • Airswimming by Charlotte Jones

    Charlotte Jones’ Airswimming follows the story of Dora Kitson and Persephone Baker, two unlikely friends who are confined to life in St. Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane beginning in the 1920s. Watch the evolution of their relationship - one of friendship, familial love, and romantic tension - as they cope with the pressure of 50 years of isolation by forming alter egos: bibliophile Dorph and Doris-Day-loving Porph.

    Hepburn Zoo

    Open to the Public
  • Orlando

    Play by Sarah Ruhl, adapted from the original by Virginia Woolf. Directed by Claudio Medeiros.

    Wright Theatre

    Open to the Public
  • Orlando

    Play by Sarah Ruhl, adapted from the original by Virginia Woolf. Directed by Claudio Medeiros.

    Wright Theatre

    Open to the Public
  • Orlando

    Play by Sarah Ruhl, adapted from the original by Virginia Woolf. Directed by Claudio Medeiros.

    Wright Theatre

    Open to the Public

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