When most people think of college theater, they picture actors delivering lines, musical numbers and dramatic monologues. Behind the scenes, however, is a long decision-making and creative process that shapes what the audience sees. For Taylor Busch, a visiting assistant professor of costume design at UTC, that process begins with fabric, color and countless rereads of the script.
Lights, camera, action: UTC introduces new film and TV minor
The Department of Theatre is introducing a new multi-disciplinary film and TV studies minor, allowing allow students to explore all aspects of film and television from in front of and behind the camera. Working with the communication, English, and Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures departments, the new minor—coming in the 2025-26 academic year—will give students a flexible path that suits their interests in film and TV.
Bluegrass, Appalachia and a story worth singing: “Bright Star” musical coming to UTC Theatre Co.
“I’m ready for my life to begin. I’m ready for it all to start.” These lyrics from “Bright Star,” a bluegrass-inspired musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, strike a personal chord with UTC freshman Liam Phillips.
UTC Theatre Co. presents “Bright Star” Feb. 25-March 1
Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s “Bright Star,” a heartfelt story of love, loss and redemption set against the bluegrass-rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s, will take the stage at the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre. Performed by the UTC Theatre Co., “Bright Star” runs at 7:30 p.m. from Feb. 25-March 1—with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, March 1.
UTC Theatre Co. presents “Out at Sea” April 9-13
An absurdist tale of survival and democratic decision-making is coming to the Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre stage. The UTC Theatre Co. continues its 2023-2024 season with its production of Slawomir Mrozek’s “Out at Sea.” Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 9-13, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, April 13.
UTC Theatre Co. presents Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5 the Musical”
The UTC Theatre Co. will present “9 to 5 the Musical” from Feb. 27 through March 2 in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre. Nightly shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, March 2.
Two solo acts: Music, Theatre to operate own departments
Thanks to programmatic innovations in both divisions, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Department of Performing Arts is being dissolved and replaced with a pair of autonomous units. When students return to campus for the spring 2024 semester, they will come back to the Department of Theatre and the Department of Music.
Final act: Theater graduate finds ‘a sense of fulfillment’ from acting
Isaiah Mark Owens took acting classes in high school and, when all was said and done, the thrill of acting stuck. The end result is a degree in theater he will earn in December 2023 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
UTC Theatre Co. to open its season with “Blithe Spirit”
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Theatre Co. opens its 2023-2024 season Oct. 3-7, presenting Noël Coward’s “Blithe Spirit” in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Dorothy Hackett Ward Theatre.
‘LEAR’ning the ropes: UTC students collaborate with professional theater company
Lio Mercedes Sosa and other UTC theatre majors have been designing and building stage sets for the Obvious Dad production of “LEAR,” taking place this month in the UTC Fine Arts Center’s Jim G. Lewis Studio Theatre.