Do you long to act? Direct? Produce? Write? At Assumption, students have the opportunity to pursue their individual interests as part of an ensemble. Your courses and the performance groups at Assumption provide numerous opportunities to enhance and hone your skills.
Assumption’s theatre arts program focuses on performance and production for the stage and small screen. The theatre arts faculty are dedicated teachers in their disciplines and active professionals in their fields. They work actively with students to help set up local academic and career internships at exciting and educational locations such as the Hanover Theater of the Performing Arts, WGBH Public Television, Channel 3 (Worcester) and WCUW Radio.
Each year, nearly 150 students are involved in one or both of the Theatre Department’s productions; typically a drama in the fall, a musical during spring semester. The spring 2010 production, OLIVER! was performed on stage at the magnificent 2,300-seat Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts in downtown Worcester (MA).
Students can create a major in theatre with assistance from the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Performance Groups:
- AC Chorale: The College’s auditioned concert choir of 50 to 60 voices performs on campus, throughout the U.S. and abroad. These concerts often feature a full orchestra and instrumental ensembles. The Chorale’s international concert tours have taken them to Italy, Russia, Greece, and, most recently, France, where they sang at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
- AC Chapel Choir: The College’s liturgical choir draws singers from the student body, faculty and staff. The Chapel Choir regularly stages the musical Godspell, undertakes a Choir Mission Tour, and presents a concert featuring selections from Handel’s “Messiah” with soloists and chamber orchestra.
- A cappella at Assumption: Student-run singing groups perform a diverse repertoire of songs without instrumental accompaniment in a variety of venues.
- Merely Players (Drama Club): The emphasis is on high quality and having fun. There are many opportunities to get involved on stage or backstage. Merely Players performs at least two productions a year, including a One Act Festival.
- Annual spring musical: This year OLIVER! was performed at the Hanover Theatre, a premier, professional theatre in downtown Worcester. Previously, Assumption has presented The Fantasticks (Spring 2009), Into the Woods (Spring 2008) and Damn Yankees (Spring 2007).
- Assumption Asylum: This is a club for students to perform, study and appreciate improvisational and sketch comedy. Periodically, we invite professionals to teach improv comedy. Assumption also hosts improv comedy competitions.
Theatre Department Faculty
The primary Theatre department instructor, Brian Tivnan, founded his own theatre company, Forum Theatre, before joining the faculty at Assumption. He has been featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes for his innovative production of West Side Story.
Brian Tivnan, Visiting Instructor of Theatre Arts (2001) B.A., Worcester State College; M.Ed., San Francisco State University, 1976; C.A.G.S., Trinity Repertory Theater Conservatory, (Providence, RI), 1984.
Thomas E. Burke, Lecturer in Theater Arts (1998). B.A., Franklin Pierce College; M.A., Assumption College. (Adjunct)
John Hoover, Lecturer in Theatre Arts (2006). B.A., Oberlin College; M.A.T., Harvard University; M.A., Boston University. (Adjunct)