Madison College

Madison College’s performing arts division offers students and community members inclusive opportunities to participate in theatre, music, and dance. Auditions are open to everyone, allowing individuals of all experience levels to collaborate on productions. Each semester typically features one major production along with workshops and staged readings. Students gain practical experience in both performance and backstage roles.

The college features two main performance venues. The Mitby Theater is a 975-seat auditorium known for its excellent acoustics and professional facilities. It hosts student productions as well as local and national shows. Adjacent to it is the Studio Theater, a more intimate black-box space used for smaller or experimental performances.

Madison College offers several courses that support a strong foundation in theatre arts. Students can take classes such as Introduction to Theatre, Stagecraft, Cultural Diversity in Contemporary American Theater, Acting, and Drama Practicums. These courses allow students to explore acting, technical production, and contemporary performance issues while earning credit toward an associate degree in the arts and humanities.

The theatre program emphasizes experiential learning through hands-on production involvement. Students actively participate in on-stage and backstage roles and often collaborate with community professionals. The department regularly addresses socially relevant themes through its productions and has tackled topics such as food insecurity, hate crimes, and identity.

Students can also participate in events such as the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and join student-led theatre groups. The program is committed to fostering a diverse and supportive environment and is led by dedicated faculty who are active in the local arts scene. Whether interested in acting, design, or technical theatre, students receive well-rounded training and meaningful artistic experiences.