How to Do Theater at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges

• Take a class.
• Hang with artists.
• Minor. Or major.
• Audition for ensembles. 
• Do a show with a student theater group.
• Help out backstage.
• Be a spectator. Here or in Philadelphia.
• Do an internship.
• Do your own thing.
• Become a fan.

Take a class.

The Theater Program offers a full roster of classes in acting, directing, playwriting, design, and a number of unique classes that allow you to experiment in a number of disciplines. There are also classes in drama offered by language departments, classes in movement and dance (crucial for performers), and classes in film through the Film Studies program.

Hang with artists.

In recent years, students have spent quality time with Sister Sylvester, filmmaker John Waters, actors Maggie Siff ˈ96 and Daniel Dae Kim (HC ˈ93), playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, and Broadway’s Forrest McClendon and Josh Lamon.

Minor. Or major.

If students take a bunch of classes, they can do a minor. Contact the program for details. Students can also put together tailored-to-specific-interests Independent Major.

Audition for ensembles. 

Ensembles are open to all students (and first-years are often cast in acting roles for mainstage productions). Ensembles are an intense and intensive experience, but no prior experience is required.

Do a show with a student theater group.

There are a lot of different groups on both campuses, and they do everything from improv to musicals to Shakespeare. It is not clear how much of that will be happening this semester. But ask around or read the Daily Digest; all student theater groups have open auditions. And if nobody’s doing what you’re interested in, it’s easy to start your own group.

Help out backstage.

Email Amy Radbill (aradbill@brynmawr.edu) for info about doing technical theater work. The production team is always happy to have help. Students can learn to do sound, video, lights, build things with power tools, and work backstage. As students gain experience, they may be able to do tech as a work-study job.

Be a spectator. Here or in Philadelphia.

Explore the theater offerings of the regional theater community. Take the train into Philly to see world-class theater. (There are about 50 professional theaters.) See the extraordinary performances our on-campus Performing Arts Series brings in. Sign up for weekly ticket discounts at www.phillyfunguide.com. And the Live Arts/Fringe Festival opens September 9 and a lot of it is available online. Students can see their professors’ work: Mark Lord directs Catharine Slusar in Not I at FringeArts this fall, and guest director Akeem Davis is in Streetcar Named Desire this winter at The Arden. 

Do an internship.

Contact the program for details. Students intern in Philadelphia, New York, their hometowns, and elsewhere. The faculty and staff help students find the best internships for their interests. Recently, students have done College-sponsored (paid) internships at People’s Light and Theater and Ping Chong and Company. The people who teach in the Theater Program are all working artists, so they can help students to make connections.

Do your own thing your own way with or without help however you want to do it.

If students want to do their own productions, start their own group, or step out on their own in any other capacity, the faculty and staff are happy to help them to brainstorm and connect to resources.

Become a fan.

Students can get info about auditions, plays, discounts, workshops, and other arts news by becoming a friend and liking and following Bi-Co Theater Program at Bryn Mawr College on Facebook and Instagram and following @BrynMawrArts on Twitter.

Want to know more? Email the faculty and staff.

• Mark Lord, Theresa Helburn Chair of Drama and Professor of Theater
• Catharine Slusar, Associate Professor of Theater
• Maiko Matsushima, Resident Designer
• Justin McDaniel, Technical Director
• Amy Radbill, Production Manager