All the world is a stage, and studying theater is the key to better understanding that world stage. By exploring a character, we learn about our own character. When asked to literally walk in another’s footsteps, you learn empathy and what it is like to stand in someone else’s shoes. Theater and dance teach us about ourselves, while at the same time revealing the world around us. At Brooks, this journey is highlighted by close work with the theater and dance faculty.
The theater program provides the novice and experienced stage performer with opportunities to study the art of the theater. Students examine a variety of styles, periods, and cultural traditions, enabling them to gain experience in all aspects of theater: acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theater design.
Students develop and perform dramatic pieces based on original material and develop critical and analytical skills through script study and performance observations. Students are able to work on three main theater productions each year:
- a play
- a musical
- a nontraditional project.
The nontraditional projects are shows designed to give students opportunities that they would not find in the standard season or at other institutions. For example, students may take on the role of playwright, director or designer, or we may chose to do a selection of works that highlight specific talents which would otherwise go unnoticed. In addition to the main season, several smaller showcases are produced throughout the year. Formal course work and independent studies in acting and directing are available to all students.
In dance, there are two showings that take place during the fall and spring terms.
From improvisational and standup comedy to class scene presentations and the musical "Cabaret," Brooks theater provides an opportunity for every student at every level.