Department of Theatre, Station 6210
Montevallo, Alabama, 35115
(205) 665-6138
Chairperson: Michael Walker, mwalker10@montevallo.edu
Academic Year: August to May
Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BFA Acting, BFA Musical Theatre, BFA Design/Tech
Program Objectives: The Theatre Department’s mission is to train students for the professional theatre and entertainment industry within the context of a first-rate liberal arts education. We emphasize training the “whole artist” so that students are prepared to pursue a variety of fields that require creative and critical thinking as well as the ability to multi-task and work collaboratively on projects.
History: In October of 1896, the Alabama Girls’ Industrial School opened its doors to some 150 young women from all parts of the state. In 1911 AGIS became Alabama Girls’ Technical Institute. The phrase “and College for Women” was added in 1919. In 1923, the school became Alabama College, State College for Women, a degree-granting institution. Two men enrolled in January of 1956, and with 33 more arriving by September, a new era had begun for the school. In 1969 the school changed its name to University of Montevallo. Today, UM holds fast to the principles that we were founded upon and the mission that we’ve always upheld. As Alabama’s only public liberal arts university, we take pride in knowing that our curriculum is both challenging and affordable.
Facilities, Classrooms, and Theatres: The Theatre Department is thrilled to now be housed in the university’s new, state-of-the-art facility the Center for the Arts. This 36,750-square-foot building features two performance venues, an art gallery, a digital fabrication lab, design labs with animation software, multiple classrooms, Theatre faculty offices, vocal performance rehearsal rooms, a voice studio, a large dance studio, state-of-the-art production shops, a sculpture garden, an outdoor commons area and adjacent ground-level parking.
Scholarships and/or Assistantships: If you are interested in the BA, BS, or BFA degree track, you can apply for departmental assistance by attending an in-person audition/interview day or submitting your materials virtually. Scholarships range from $500 for books to a Presidential Scholarship which covers tuition.