Theatre

Our performance curriculum is based in Stanislavski methodology while combining a variety of techniques in acting theory, movement and voice. The design and production curriculum applies classic art and design techniques with new technologies to help you learn to conceptualize stage designs in costuming, scenery, lighting and sound.

A Theatre of Accomplishment

Invited workshop presenters, attendance to Kansas City theatre events and a vibrant college arts community are all part of what will welcome you. Jewell faculty plan a season of meaningful and challenging performances for both our Jewell Theatre Company and audiences. From year to year, you will be exposed to a variety of genres of plays and musicals, and have the opportunity work independently on your own creative endeavors.

You can lead groups to provide additional outlets for others wanting to perform, direct or design, such as 24 Hour Theatre and 10-minute play series. Interested in film production? You can create short films and present them in our theater auditorium. Our national theatre honor society, Alpha Psi Omega, offers movie nights, lip sync battles and an additional designated performance. As a senior theatre major, you will even produce your own full-length performance as a capstone project, putting into practice all you have learned.

Jewell Theatre Company

Through our production company, Jewell Theatre Company, we illustrate we are a group of artists with great respect for one another. We are dedicated to working together to produce quality live theatre for our audiences. When electing to major or minor in theatre, you are automatically part of the company; however, you may enjoy all of the benefits without this academic commitment. Regardless of major, we invite you to participate in our shows, work on our crews, audition for talent scholarships or apply for jobs in the Federal Work-Study program. We are open to collaborating with artists of all levels of skill.

Our facilities

In a regular proscenium configuration, Garnett Peters Theater seats 230 audience members. However, the facility can be changed to allow for theatre in the round, three-quarter thrust or alley performance configurations. We frequently update our equipment so you can use the industry standard in scenery, costume, sound and lighting technologies. We recently acquired a new ETC ION light board and a Behringer X32 sound mixing board. The Scene and Costume Shops are outfitted with nearly every tool you could need to construct sets or costumes. The Trotter Arts Plaza just outside our building is also an outdoor amphitheater performance space, welcoming you to perform whenever you choose.

Scholarships

All students are eligible to compete for a Theatre Talent Award. These awards are available to performers, designers or technicians, whether you choose to major in theatre or another program. Schedule an appointment with Nathan Wyman, producing director of Jewell Theatre. 

Interested in performance: Prepare an audition piece no longer than 4 minutes that includes two contrasting monologues or a monologue and a musical selection. {Tip: Select age-appropriate pieces and avoid accents.}

Interested in design/production: Prepare a portfolio of creative work that expresses your interests and talent areas. Acceptable work would include any theatre design or art media. {Tip: Tell the story of the progress of the work rather than just showing finished products.}

Describe your experience: All auditioning students should bring a theatre résumé. Some students include a headshot or a DVD of a performance, but these are not required.