Theatre Production

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Contact Visual & Performing Arts
Learning Resource Center
Suite LRC-325
VPA@worcester.edu
508-929-8145
Worcester State student Bellalorraine Carey-Hicks stitches a purple costume in the costume shop

Hands-On Learning

On and Off Stage

Students gain real-world stage experience with VPA's Fuller Theater performances, costume and scene shops, and back stage lighting and sound design opportunities. Productions by Worcester State Theatre have grown to include two faculty-led performance and one student-directed performance each year.
Aiden Bourdeau and Delaney DeNorscia perform in Worcester State Theatre's Almost Off Book Club

Theatre Club Opportunity

Almost Off Book

Student-directed productions are run through "Almost Off Book," VPA's theatre club, with students making real-world decisions in play selection, casting, rehearsing, designing, and mounting. Students receive a production budget and support from theatre faculty mentors.
Three actors in period costumes perform on stage with ornate frames and a green background; part of a captivating theatre production, one woman sits while two men stand beside her, interacting.

Academic Productions

Worcester State Theatre

Productions feature diverse styles - from comedy to drama to tragedy - to provide students with a variety of performance experiences during their time at Worcester State. All shows reflect Worcester State Theatre's commitment to serving education, the University community, and the greater region.
A CitySpeak Production with Worcester State Theatre and Urban Studies

Serving the Community

Theatre Collaboration with Urban Studies

CitySpeak, an innovative partnership between VPA and Urban Studies, provides Worcester’s diverse populations with a channel of expression through arts- and research-based urban planning and community development. Through its productions, CitySpeak tackles complex issues in the community.
Worcester State Theatre's Production of "Dancing with Demons" has been recognized by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1

A VPA Theatre Tradition

Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival

Theatre students participate in the Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival, a national theater education program that identifies and promotes quality in college-level theater production. KCACTF's Region 1 recently recognized Worcester State Theatre with a special invitation to stream its "Dancing with Demons" performance.
Two people in vintage costumes stand close together on stage, smiling at each other during a Theatre Production, with colorful set decorations in the background.

READ: Students stage delightfully funny Tony Award winning musical

Worcester State Theatre goes behind the scenes of creating Dancing with Demons

READ: Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival recognizes Worcester State

Worcester State Theatre presents Dancing with Demons in Spring 2021

WATCH: "Dancing with Demons," an interdisciplinary production by students and faculty

Autumn Thebodo performs in Worcester State Theatre's Production of "Picasso at the Lapin Agile"

READ: Worcester State creates new Theater Major

Three performers stand on platforms on stage, each raising one arm, with a young girl at a microphone in the center, under colorful stage lighting.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" with book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Four women in period costumes stand closely together on stage during a theatre production, looking in the same direction with concerned expressions; one has a bandage over her eye.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
Worcester State Theatre presents Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" by Steve Martin
Ryann Jerome performs in Worcester State Theatre's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Production
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
Three actors from the Visual & Performing Arts program, dressed in period costumes, perform on stage with a green ornate backdrop; two men face a woman holding something in her hands.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde
Worcester State Theatre Club, Almost Off Book, performs in Spring 2022
A scene with Almost Off Book, a WSU theatre club
Stage Combat Course
Worcester State Theatre students take courses including Stage Combat as part of their lab-based, experiential learning.
Worcester State's Samson Abdal-Khabir and Brent Leighton in the theatre production, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead"
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard
Two young women in period costumes stand on stage in this captivating theatre production; one holds an umbrella and shows a small object to the other, who examines it closely. A decorative set piece adorns the background.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde
A young person in a scout uniform sings into a microphone on stage as others in colorful costumes watch; musical blocks and a pianist are in the background.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" with book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Worcester State Theatre Club, Almost Off Book, performs in Spring 2022
A scene with Almost Off Book, a WSU theatre club
Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
A scene from Worcester State Theatre's Production of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead"
"Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
A man dressed in clerical attire stands with his hands raised, appearing to speak or gesture, as part of a theatre production against a pink patterned background with ornate decorations.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
Worcester State Theatre presents Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" by Steve Martin
Three young women seated onstage hold up their fingers to indicate numbers; one wears a floral dress, one wears a cheerleader outfit, and one wears a red blazer with a spelling bee sign.
"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" with book by Rachel Sheinkin, Music and Lyrics by William Finn
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
Worcester State Theatre Club, Almost Off Book, performs in Spring 2022
A scene with Almost Off Book, a WSU theatre club
Psycho Beach Party
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
Worcester State Theatre presents Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin
"Picasso at the Lapin Agile" by Steve Martin
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
"Psycho Beach Party" by Charles Busch
Two actors in period costumes stand on a colorful theatre production stage set with oversized, slanted doors and ornate decorations resembling a whimsical, distorted room.
"The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde
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Contact Visual & Performing Arts
Learning Resource Center
Suite LRC-325
VPA@worcester.edu
508-929-8145