Renaissance Theatre

Check out the Renaissance Theatre Blog at www.renaissancetheatre.blogspot.com

Scene from Renaissance production of "Oklahoma!" in 2006. Cayley Thompson as Laurey, Emily Fowler as Aunt Eller.
Renaissance Theatre was started in the summer of 2006 as the 3rd division of Renaissance: The Bethel Performing Arts Experience.  The theatre program was created to allow talented students the opportunity to pursue their dreams academically and artistically in an environment that encourages their growth as students, artists, and leaders.  There are three major parts to Renaissance theatre:  mainstage productions, educational shows and workshops, and church productions. 
  • Our mainstage shows include major plays and musicals that will be produced throughout the year.  We will do 2-3 mainstage shows each year which could include musicals and plays and will be performed in our BethelPerformingArtsCenter.  Shows that we have produced in the past include “Oklahoma,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Matchmaker,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Seussical”, "God's Favorite", "Bye Bye Birdie", and "Disney's Beauty & the Beast." 
  • Along with presenting great material to our community, we also have a desire to bring the arts into local schools and provide educational opportunities for elementary, middle school, and high school aged students to learn about theatre and the performing arts.  Each year, we will travel to schools in our area and do workshops, acting exercises, and present educational material to students.  This will be an important part of what we do in Renaissance by teaching younger children and students about acting and the arts.
  • Another very important part of our program is our church production.  Each year, we will create a dramatic/musical piece to be taken to churches around the southeast.  This program will include music, drama sketches, mime, and other creative tools to communicate the message of Jesus Christ. 
BethelCollege and the Renaissance Theatre program are committed to the arts and to teaching others about the wonderful art of theatre.  Our goal is to produce Broadway quality shows for our community and provide a great learning environment for students who are passionate about the arts and theatre.  Currently, Renaissance Theatre has close to 50 students from Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Illinois, Wyoming, Alabama, and Texas.  
Scene from "Fiddler on the Roof" presented in 2007. Aubrey Ham as Hodel, Samantha Lindley as Tzeitel, and Jessica Montoya as Chava.

 

Renaissance Theatre performs a majority of it's shows in BPAC, the Bethel Performing Arts Center.  Once the home of the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church,  BPAC seats around 200 people and the historic building is the only building in McKenzie listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The current building was completed in 1892 and replaced a previous church building that had been constructed in 1873.  The vaulted sanctuary is an architectural marvel that was constructed over a 5 year period.  Comfortable and cozy, you will love seeing a show at BPAC as you will feel like you are a PART of the action.  We hope you will join us soon! 

 

 


Scene from "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" presented in Spring 2007. Blaine Sumler as Pharaoh.

How YOU can join Renaissance Theatre!

If you are interested in joining Renaissance Theatre, here is what you need to do!

1. Fill out an application to Bethel College. Find one online at www.bethel-college.edu or contact our admissions office! Be sure to put that you are interested in Renaissance Theatre on your application.
2. Contact the Renaissance Office at 731-352-6414 to set up an audition time!
3. Audition!! For actors, please prepare 2 monologues (serious, and comedic) that are 1-2 minutes in length. Also, please be prepared to sing a song, preferably from a musical theatre production. Technical students should provide a resume/portfolio of their technical work. Provide pictures if possible.
4. For those who pass the audition, you will be notified of your acceptance in the Renaissance program and we will work with the Admissions and Financial Aid office to put together your financial aid award letter.


Renaissance Theatre Staff:

Brian Hill, Director of Renaissance Theatre, 731-352-6446, hillb@bethel-college.edu

Peter Jeffrey, Director of Renaissance

Deborah Noble, Renaissance Administrative Assistant, 731-352-6414, nobled@bethel-college.edu
Contact Deborah for information regarding auditions and admission to the Renaissance program.

Karen Jeffrey, Renaissance Administrative Assistant, 731-352-6445, jeffreyk@bethel-college.edu
Contact Karen for general information about the Renaissance program.



Scene from "Beauty and the Beast" presented in 2009. Josh Ford as the Beast.

Past Productions:

2006-2007
  • "Oklahoma!" - November 2006
  • "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor (r) Dreamcoat" - April 2007
2007-2008
  • "The Matchmaker" - by Thornton Wilder - September 2007
  • "Fiddler on the Roof" - November 2007
  • "Suessical" - April 2008
2008-2009
  • "God's Favorite" - by Neil Simon - September 2008
  • "Bye Bye Birdie" - November 2008
  • "DISNEY'S Beauty and the Beast" - March/April 2009


Scene from "Seussical" presented in Spring 2008. Mike Murphy as Horton, Jessica Montoya as Gertrude.


Renaissance Theatre students perform "The Telephone Hour" in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie." Presented in November 2008.