Theatre Arts

LU Theatre Offers Many Opportunities 

PAST PRODUCTIONS

Liberty University has a history of over 25 years of theatrical productions, ranging from Greek tragedies to musical comedies, from classics to new plays. Literally thousands of students have performed on our stage, many of whom have gone on to professional acting careers. The Liberty University stage produces 6 main shows a season, as well as student produced work, cabarets, and operas. Past shows include: 

2008-2009: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, MY FAIR LADY, THE CRUCIBLE, A DOLL'S HOUSE, THE MUSIC MAN
2007-2008: CRAZY FOR YOU, THE RAINMAKER, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, SHADOWLANDS, WEST SIDE STORY
2006-2007: RIBS FOR DINNER, PARADE, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, LITTLE WOMEN, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, ONCE UPON A SILENCE, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
2005-2006: CHARLIE BROWN, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, DRIVING MISS DAISY, GUYS & DOLLS, INTO THE WOODS, ALL MY SONS, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN
2004-2005: BEAUTY & THE BEAST, SECRET GARDEN, GLASS MENAGERIE, PYGMALION, AIDA
2003-2004: RAGTIME, SHE LOVES ME, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, MONTE CRISTO: THE MUSICAL (VA PREMIERE), THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WM SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED
2002-2003: OKLAHOMA!, MACBETH, REBEL CRY (VA PREMIERE)
2001-2002: THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, RIBS FOR DINNER (VA PREMIERE), GODSPELL
2000-2001: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, 12 ANGRY MEN, WEST SIDE STORY
1999-2000: BIG RIVER, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
1998-1999: CRAZY FOR YOU, GIFTS OF THE MAGI, WAIT UNTIL DARK, ANYTHING GOES
1997-1998: BRIGADOON, INTO THE WOODS, OUR TOWN 
 

COMPETITIONS/PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS

Besides performing on the LU stage, many students participate in competitions/auditions such as VTA and SETC and spend their summers in professional playhouses. This year VTA will be held in Reston, VA, October 31-Nov 2, ACTF will be held in Clemson, SC, February 5-10, and SETC will be held in Birmingham, AL, March 4-8. Please see Linda Nell Cooper for applications.

AUDITIONS for LU THEATER PRODUCTIONS 

Auditions are open to ALL students with ANY major. However, audition requirements differ depending on the show.  Auditions for the fall shows will be held on Saturday afternoon and evening, August 15.  Auditions will be held in the Lloyd Auditorium (FA 134).  All freshman and transfer students will audition at the same time. Returning students will sign up for individual time slots. Sign ups will begin August 1. To sign up for an audition time, please call (434)582-7078, or sign up on the Theatre Arts located just outside the Department of Theatre Arts Office.   

Detailed Audition Information 
 

KENNEDY CENTER AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVAL

For the past eight years, LU Theater has had the honor of competing in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Through our participation with the KCACTF, several of our students have been nominated for the Irene Ryan, a national acting award for excellence in the craft and art of acting and design. Past nominees include:

2000: Chris Nelson as Tevye, Jon Robertson as Perchik, Caleb Luther as Motel--all in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
2001: Jon Robertson as Percy, Scott Windham as Chauvelin, Kelly Gough as Margaurite--all in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL
2002: Jimmy Kirshberger as Troy Carson, Jon Robertson as Archibald Connors, Scott Windham as Marshall Everette--all in RIBS FOR DINNER; Nathan Lynch as Joshua/Jesus, David Zimmerman as Cain/Judas--both in GODSPELL
2003: Fran Garcia as Sadie Thompson, Jennifer McCarron as Elizabeth van Lew, Scott Windham as Cecil Barrington--all in REBEL CRY
2004: Joshua Philpot as Edmond Dantes, David Zimmerman as Fernand Mondego, Jennifer McCarron as Jacopa Vampa, Nick Vanwingerden for Sound Engineering, Matt Bell for Stage Management--all in MONTE CRISTO; Aaron Bauer as Cogsworth, Aaron Bennett as Lumiere, Kerianne Rice as Babette, Lauren McCauley as Silly Girl, Jonea Vanlandingham for Stage Management--all in BEAUTY & THE BEAST; Elisabeth Sobocinski as Mary Lennox, Justin Oliver as Archibald, Hannah Hughes as Lily, David Diamond for Sound Engineering--all in SECRET GARDEN
2005: Sarah Koster as Amneris, Justin Oliver as Radames, Josh Philpot as Zoser, David Diamond for Sound Engineering, Erica Smith for Stage Management--all in AIDA; Aaron Bennett as Agwe, Andrea Grillo as Mama Euralie, Sarah Koster as Erzulie, Kat Hatcher for Stage Management, Leslie Hagar for Stage Management, Ryan Lewis for Sound Engineering, Jonea Vanlandingham for Costume Design--all in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
2006: Aaron Bennett as The Baker, Justin Oliver as Jack, Erica Smith as Little Red, Kelly Langdon for Sound Engineering, Chad Kennedy for Stage Management--all in INTO THE WOODS; Aaron Bennett as Professor Bhaer, Justin Oliver as Laurie Lawrence, Ashley Wasson as Amy March--all in LITTLE WOMEN
2007: Andy Geffken as Trevor Graydon, Katrina Hatcher as Mrs. Meers, Brad Southards as Jimmy Smith, Sarah Hooks for Stage Management, Robert Sanderson for Stage Management--all in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

MONTE CRISTO was asked to showcase at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in 2004. Director of Theater, Linda Nell Cooper, received an Award of Merit for Excellence in Directing in 2004 for SECRET GARDEN, in 2005 for AIDA, in 2006 for INTO THE WOODS, and in 2007 for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE.

CURRENT IRENE RYAN NOMINEES for 2008

Andy Geffken as Riff in WEST SIDE STORY
Tim Osgood as Action in WEST SIDE STORY
Kayla Powell as Anita in WEST SIDE STORY
David Brady for Stage Managing WEST SIDE STORY and MY FAIR LADY
Josh DeVries as Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY
Kayla Powell as Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY
Tyler Turner as Colonel Pickering in MY FAIR LADY
Blake Cooper for Sound Engineering in MY FAIR LADY
Director Linda Nell Cooper received an Award of Merit for Excellence in Directing for WEST SIDE STORY

Chair of Theatre Arts Department 

ALPHA PSI OMEGA -- KAPPA THETA ALPHA CHAPTER

Kappa Theata Alpha is the proud Liberty University chapter of the Theater National Honor Society Alpha Psi Omega.  Students must have participated in a minimum of 7 productions while maintaining a GPA of 3.25 or higher in order to be inducted.

2006 Inductees- Hannah Hughes, Chad Kennedy, Ryan Massey, Derek Samms, Erica Smith, *jonea Vanlandingham

2007 Inductees- Heather Allen, Leslie Hagar, Adam Hartsock, Katrina Hatcher, Meme Hussey, Hilary Sutton

2008 Inductees - Sarah Coffey, Christina Forshey, Rachel Marcussen 

2009 Inductees - Natalie Beals, Cody Carwile, Josh DeVries, Emily Franks, Holli Frazier, David Pickle, Kayla Powell, Robert Sanderson, Sarah Seaman, Tyler Turner, Kristen Wellman, Patrick Williford, Laura Zaloom