Theatre
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.
Get Involved
Auditions
Design and Technology
Master Classes and Workshops
Traditions
Professional Connections
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.
Our Productions
Each year we stage numerous full-scale productions that involve theatre majors and faculty as well as others from the community who audition. We also offer workshops and smaller-scale performances featuring our many artists in residence. More about productions.
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.
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-
The Department of Theatre presents the annual First Year Show
For 27 years and counting, we’ve welcomed incoming students by inviting them to be part of the First-Year Show. This ensemble production comes together quickly—just in time for Fall Family Weekend. It’s supported by a team of student directors, playwrights, designers and crew, making the show a great introduction to the department.
Hepburn Zoo
Open to the Public -
The Department of Theatre presents the annual First Year Show
For 27 years and counting, we’ve welcomed incoming students by inviting them to be part of the First-Year Show. This ensemble production comes together quickly—just in time for Fall Family Weekend. It’s supported by a team of student directors, playwrights, designers and crew, making the show a great introduction to the department.
Hepburn Zoo
Open to the Public -
The Department of Theatre presents the annual First Year Show
For 27 years and counting, we’ve welcomed incoming students by inviting them to be part of the First-Year Show. This ensemble production comes together quickly—just in time for Fall Family Weekend. It’s supported by a team of student directors, playwrights, designers and crew, making the show a great introduction to the department.
Hepburn Zoo
Open to the Public -
The Department of Theatre presents the annual First Year Show
For 27 years and counting, we’ve welcomed incoming students by inviting them to be part of the First-Year Show. This ensemble production comes together quickly—just in time for Fall Family Weekend. It’s supported by a team of student directors, playwrights, designers and crew, making the show a great introduction to the department.
Hepburn Zoo
Open to the Public -
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Prep Meeting
Come join us for our weekly meetings where we will talk about updates, news, collaborations, or help you figure out how to get involved.
Sunderland IL2 - Theatre Dept.
Closed to the Public -
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Prep Meeting
Come join us for our weekly meetings where we will talk about updates, news, collaborations, or help you figure out how to get involved.
Sunderland IL2 - Theatre Dept.
Closed to the Public -
Theatre and Dance Fall Fireside Gathering
Join the faculty and staff of the Theatre and Dance departments for a social gathering around a warming bonfire.
The Knoll
Closed to the Public -
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Prep Meeting
Come join us for our weekly meetings where we will talk about updates, news, collaborations, or help you figure out how to get involved.
Sunderland IL2 - Theatre Dept.
Closed to the Public -
Rhinoceros
The Theatre Department presents Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco, adaptation by Martin Mooney, directed by Jay Dunn.
The citizens of an anywhere small-town-USA gradually turn into rhinoceroses until they have become a faceless and savage herd. All of them that is, except for Bérenger, who refuses to relinquish his humanity. In this dark comic vision of civilization run amok, Ionesco depicts the struggle of the individual to maintain integrity and dignity alone in a world where all others have succumbed to the thrill of brute force and the mindlessness of the mob.Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre
Open to the Public -
Dia de los Muertos Film Screening
Prepare yourself for the Dia de los Muertos celebration with an immersion into a classic b/w film of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, “Macario” (1960) a supernatural drama set on the eve of el Día de los Muertos.
Dana Auditorium (Sunderland Language Center)
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Rhinoceros
The Theatre Department presents Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco, adaptation by Martin Mooney, directed by Jay Dunn.
The citizens of an anywhere small-town-USA gradually turn into rhinoceroses until they have become a faceless and savage herd. All of them that is, except for Bérenger, who refuses to relinquish his humanity. In this dark comic vision of civilization run amok, Ionesco depicts the struggle of the individual to maintain integrity and dignity alone in a world where all others have succumbed to the thrill of brute force and the mindlessness of the mob.Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre
Open to the Public -
A Celebration of the life and art of Peter Schmitz
The departments of Dance and Theatre invite you to join them in celebration of our friend, colleague, mentor, and teacher Peter Schmitz. A reception in the Lower Lobby will follow. Open to Middlebury College students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Mahaney Arts Center Dance Theatre
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Rhinoceros
The Theatre Department presents Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco, adaptation by Martin Mooney, directed by Jay Dunn.
The citizens of an anywhere small-town-USA gradually turn into rhinoceroses until they have become a faceless and savage herd. All of them that is, except for Bérenger, who refuses to relinquish his humanity. In this dark comic vision of civilization run amok, Ionesco depicts the struggle of the individual to maintain integrity and dignity alone in a world where all others have succumbed to the thrill of brute force and the mindlessness of the mob.Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre
Open to the Public -
Rhinoceros
The Theatre Department presents Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco, adaptation by Martin Mooney, directed by Jay Dunn.
The citizens of an anywhere small-town-USA gradually turn into rhinoceroses until they have become a faceless and savage herd. All of them that is, except for Bérenger, who refuses to relinquish his humanity. In this dark comic vision of civilization run amok, Ionesco depicts the struggle of the individual to maintain integrity and dignity alone in a world where all others have succumbed to the thrill of brute force and the mindlessness of the mob.Mahaney Arts Center Seeler Studio Theatre
Open to the Public -
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Prep Meeting
Come join us for our weekly meetings where we will talk about updates, news, collaborations, or help you figure out how to get involved.
Sunderland IL2 - Theatre Dept.
Closed to the Public