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Welcome to Butler University Theatre Department!

Butler theatre is...

An award-winning undergraduate theatre program accredited as a center of excellence by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST); A creative environment where students develop practical and critical skills, create exciting work and commit fully to the collaborative process of making theatre.

A program with professional ties to the Indiana Repertory Theatre, providing regular interaction with professional theatre artists, technicians and administrators; A program with international focus, enabling students to study abroad and train with international artists and theatre companies at Butler; A program which facilitates professional experience through internships and contracted employment; A program taught by award winning faculty.

Curriculum for Theatre Majors

The Butler program offers a choice of two theatre degrees: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Theatre and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Arts Administration with a theatre concentration

The program of study in theatre combines stage experience with core studies in: acting, directing, voice, movement, playwriting; scenic, lighting and costume design; stagecraft and make-up; theatre history, play analysis and critical theory.

The program of study in arts administration is designed to provide students with a cohesive preparation for professional work in the management of arts organizations, particularly in areas relating to the administration of theatre. Through balanced study in theatre, business (accounting, economics, marketing, etc.), and communications (public relations, advertising, information management, etc.), students gain a broad spectrum of skills in a collaborative environment.

Both programs are structured to enable students to double major or pursue a minor of their choice. Popular minors among theatre majors include: television studies, foreign languages, music, dance, English, psychology, and business. We place a strong emphasis on the comprehensive education of the individual through a combination of studies in the major and Butler’s strong liberal arts curriculum.

The Blackbox Theatre

In spring, 2004, Butler Theatre, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Indianapolis Opera came together for the production of Peter Brook's Carmen. The production took place in the black box theatre, with the main action confined to a 20-ft.“arena” of sand. Directed by John Green, the production capped of a year of innovative theatre, drawing on international influences, as well as presenting provocative student productions by Butler Theatre's own unique cast of players. Watch the transformation of our black box theatre for our 2004 production of The Tragedy of Carmen by CLICKING HERE.

Internships

We encourage every theatre major to undertake a professional internship at least once during their four-year undergraduate education. Participating students work for a minimum of 20 hours per week for a period of 15 weeks, for which they receive six hours of credit.

During the internship, the student keeps a daily record of work as well as reflective comments on the learning experience. Butler Theatre internships fall into two catagories: Semester internships with the Indiana Repertory Theatre and Summer internships with theatre companies across the nation and abroad.

Internships are available in a wide variety of areas including the following: costume/makeup, acting, stage management, production assistant, casting, and more.

To see a few of the places our students have successfully completed internships CLICK HERE.

Meet a Few of Our Gifted Faculty

John Green

Dr. John Green is chair and Professor in the Department of Theatre. He was born and educated in London, England, where he earned his Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Plymouth.

Dr. Green specializes in teaching Stage Directing, Critical Theory, and special seminars in Shakespeare and film, and European Cinema. He is a passionate advocate of interdisciplinary and intercultural performance, and in 2002 created the Butler International Theatre Exchange (BITE), an annual summer program devoted to exploring international theatre in collaboration with leading theatre practitioners from around the world.

As a stage director, he has many productions to his credit, four of which have been staged at the Edinburgh International Festival and others in theatre festivals in England, Wales, France, Germany, Slovenia, Ireland and the United States.

In 2005 Dr. Green directed the IRT’s first ever touring production, when he staged A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the “Shakespeare for a New Generation” project sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. He spent the summer of 2005 in Australia, as Visiting Scholar in the School of Humanities at Flinders University in Adelaide, where he directed a production of Hamlet.

Email Dr. Green jgreen@butler.edu

Diane Timmerman

Diane Timmerman, associate professor of theatre, received her M.F.A. in Acting from Indiana University and her B.A. in Theatre and German from Southern Illinois University. She studied for one year at the University of Hamburg on a German Academic Exchange Service Fellowship and for one year at the University of Vienna.

Ms. Timmerman is a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher, one of about 100 worldwide. She teaches the Linklater voice technique, based on Kristin Linklater’s book Freeing the Natural Voice, here at Butler and also at workshops for professional actors, teachers, and others who use their voice in the workplace. She recently co-taught a workshop with Kristin Linklater for European voice teachers in Germany and teaches regularly for the Indiana Repertory Theatre.

Diane’s books include 90-Minute Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and 90-Minute Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet (both published by Smith and Kraus, 2001), and Spare Scenes: 60 Skeletal Scenes for Acting and Directing (published by Heinemann, 2004.) She has also written articles about the Linklater voice work, including essays in the September 2005 issue of American Theatre magazine and the Spring 2005 issue of the journal of College Teaching.

Ms. Timmerman is an active professional actor, and as a director, Diane has focused on Shakespeare and brand new plays. She has directed six Shakespeare productions here at Butler and recently directed the world premiere of Dan Barden’s Luke’s Father and the Sled.

Email Ms Timmerman dtimmerm@butler.edu

Owen Schaub

After teaching at other colleges and universities for ten years, Dr. Schaub joined the Butler faculty in 1980 as Associate Professor and Department Chairman. Originally the department's scenic/lighting designer and technical director, he has been directing mainstage productions since 1987. Representative productions include Ghosts, Miss Julie, Hedda Gabler, Uncle Vanya, Woyzeck, Reverse Psychology and Vinegar Tom.

His teaching experience at Butler covers a wide range of theatre courses including theatre history, introduction to theatre, design, stagecraft, lighting, play analysis and theatre management, as well as the University's Change and Tradition course. He has also developed and taught four honors seminars and the department's service learning course.

Dr. Schaub earned his Ph.D. at Kent State University in Ohio while his MA and BA degrees are from Indiana University and Hofstra University, respectively.

Email Dr. Schaub oschaub@butler.edu

To learn more about our faculty CLICK HERE.

Study Abroad

Butler University encourages students to study in international settings as part of their academic experience. Theatre majors may choose to study for a semester, year or summer vacation period during their junior year. All theatre majors continue taking courses in theatre and/or core curriculum while studying abroad, without losing progress toward their undergraduate degrees. All grades earned are posted to an official Butler University transcript.

All students who wish to study abroad must apply through the Office of International Programs. The Office of International Programs provides study abroad advising, organizes pre-departure and reentry sessions, and maintains Butler’s list of Approved Programs for Overseas Study. This list of overseas study opportunities offers a wide variety of options to Butler students interested in studying abroad during the academic year. All programs on the list meet Butler’s high standards for academic excellence.

Where Can I Study Abroad?

Butler runs a comprehensive study abroad program that encourages students in their junior year to study at a university overseas for one semester. The following countries have emerged as the most popular destinations for theatre majors: Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Germany, China (Hong Kong), Ghana, Scotland, Italy, New Zealand, India, and Peru.

Decisions on which country to study in reflect the diversity of interest and skill development among our theatre majors: for example, Australia is favored by those interested in combining theatre and film studies; Spain, Germany, China and South America by those studying a foreign language, and the United Kingdom for a range of options in acting technique, directing and arts administration.

Learn more about the study abroad experience from some of our students by CLICKING HERE.

Butler International Theatre Exchange

Butler is committed to experiencing theatre as a global art form, in theory and in practice. Significantly, we are the only undergraduate theatre program in the region, and one of only a few in the nation, actively engaged in international theatre projects.

Butler International Theatre Exchange was founded in 2002 by Butler Theatre Chair, John Green, focusing on the processes of creating live performance with master artists and theatre companies from around the world. The Exchange is structured around a 12-day intensive program of training held during Butler’s first summer session in May. Emphasis is on the development of acting technique, the process of creating performance and intercultural collaboration, culminating in a series of public performances.

Each workshop is process oriented, placing the emphasis on training and skill development and culminating in a series of shared performances of work-in-progress to the general public. Common to all workshops is the search for the present moment of performance. That’s the thrill of it and that’s what defines the living element of performance — the unrepeatable moment of now.

To learn more about the International Theatre Exchange CLICK HERE.

How to Apply

To apply to the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler, you’ll need to complete:

A Butler application and all the general materials required for it; A supplemental JCFA departmental application for the department in which you intend to enroll; An audition or personal interview.

You’ll find specific information and forms for both applications at Butler’s ADMISSION WEB SITE. Your Butler academic application may be submitted on paper or online; your JCFA application must be submitted on paper using the appropriate form for your desired major. This major must match the one declared on the academic application. Both applications should be submitted by February 15 for the best consideration for admission. After February 15, the academic wait list will be incurred.

Tips for Students Auditioning For the Theatre Program at Butler University

Following a morning of orientation with the Jordan College of Fine Arts and theatre representatives, acting auditions will begin with a 50 minute class consisting of a warm-up session, movement, voice and monologue work. Please wear comfortable movement clothing.

Monologue presentations and individual interviews with Theatre faculty will begin at 1:00 PM. Please prepare one monologue, which may be classical or contemporary and should be less than two minutes in length, from a full-length published play. If you choose a monologue that you enjoy preparing and presenting, your audition will be more successful.

Your monologue should demonstrate your abilities. Always choose material that is within your range of life and stage experience. Parts which call for extremes of accent, age, or occupation should be avoided. Work honestly within your limitations. Young actors often ask about auditions, “What does the faculty want?” A much better question is, “How can I best show them what I am?”

Always read the whole play from which you are taking your monologue; only by doing this will you gain real insight into the life of your character and hints as to how your monologue should be played.

Seek the help of teachers or friends with theatre experience when preparing your presentation. Props should not be used in your audition. You may prepare to stand or sit for your audition. Wear appropriate clothing that you are comfortable moving in so as not to distract or detract from your work.

Begin your audition by introducing yourself, stating your name. Then introduce your monologue including the name of your character and the play. For example, “Hello, I’m Jane Smith. I’ll be performing Nora from ‘A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen. After your introduction, pause before you begin the piece.

Do not direct your monologue directly at the faculty. Place the person you are talking to in the monologue on one side or the other and beyond the faculty. Do not make direct eye contact with the faculty during your piece. It is often helpful to “cast” the person you are speaking to in the monologue and place them at a spot beyond the faculty.

When your piece is finished (and don’t rush the ending!), pause for a moment to let the piece ‘finish’ and then make eye contact with the faculty who will ask you to take a seat for the interview portion of the audition. (You may say “thank you” if you wish but avoid finishing your audition by saying “scene”.)

Above all, enjoy your audition. Relax, breathe and enjoy this opportunity to perform.

& HERE ARE SOME GREAT THEATRE LINKS!

Read about our SEASON OF PLAYS!

Learn about our AWARDS!

Meet one of our STUDENTS!

CONTACT US

Butler University

4600 Sunset Ave.

Indianapolis, IN 46208

Phone: (800) 368-6852

Send the Chair of Theatre an EMAIL!

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