Theatre Production at Brown
Over 40,000 people view theatre events on campus yearly, with multiple spaces fully devoted to production. Between 70 and 80 productions are presented each year by producing groups that include: Sock and Buskin (faculty directed and designed), Production Workshop (student controlled, directed, and designed), Rites and Reason (a research and developmental 
theatre dedicated to giving voice to the diverse cultural expressions of the New World), Brownbrokers (producers of student original musicals), Musical Forum (student producers of musical theatre), Shakespeare on the Green (student producers of Shakespeare), and the summer Brown/Trinity Playwrights Repertory Theatre (dedicated to new plays for the theatre). In addition several dance recitals featuring Modern, Ethnic and Fusion works choreographed by students, faculty and visiting artists are given each year and the Department sponsors Dance Extension, a touring dance repertory company.
The tradition of good theatre at Brown dates from well back into the 19th century and the involvement of hundreds of student participants yearly underscores the vitality and avid interest in theatre arts at the University. The Brown theatre and dance facilities provide opportunities for the use of varied production methods: proscenium, arena, environmental, and three-quarter round. Productions are cast from auditions open to all members of the student community.
Few universities--if any--have approached Brown's program in longevity and productivity. Hundreds of former participants in Brown's theatre arts program now live and work not only as actors, directors, dancers, technicians, playwrights, scholars, and teachers, but also in many other professions in cities and towns throughout the United States and abroad. They have brought with them a heightened sensitivity to dramatic literature and a strong awareness of the complexity and creativity involved in the theatrical event.
The Department offers undergraduate assistantships for qualified students in the areas of technical production, costuming, library supervision, and box office management.
