A professor speaks to a group of students sitting in the film viewing room with black and white film on the screen over his shoulder.

Theatre

Perform, direct, design and more in a blended theatre program.

From your first year the opportunities are endless to perform, direct, design and more in the York College theatre program. Join a program with an individualized blend of academic and practical theatre courses.

It starts with an integrated approach to practice and research including stagecraft, performance, design, dramatic literature and theatre management. Small class sizes and individualized attention allow each student to establish a close relationship with faculty and mentors. Classwork is immediately integrated into our eight main stage productions each year.  From costume and prop design to stage combat and dance to devising and performance to scenic painting and welding set pieces, hands-on learning starts from day one.

Additional opportunities include studying abroad, internships and working with guest artists. Students and recent graduates are interning and working at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Co., American Stage Theatre, Hersheypark, Gretna Playhouse, and Serino Coyne.

Two students act out a scene in the black box theatre, stage lights illuminate them from behind.
Mr. Burns

Student Opportunities

Theatre students can expand their theatre knowledge and contacts through the following opportunities:
  • Participation in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
  • Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society membership
  • Short-term study in London
  • Travel to New York City to perform in a showcase for agents and managers

Past Productions

The Lord of the Underworld, Benjamin Cloud '23, greets Eurydice, Grace Nicosia '23, as the Loud Stone, Linette Cruz '23, looks on in YCP's November 2019 play Eurydice directed by Suzanne Delle.
Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl
The Lord of the Underworld, Benjamin Cloud '23, greets Eurydice, Grace Nicosia '23, as the Loud Stone, Linette Cruz '23, looks on in YCP's November 2019 play Eurydice directed by Suzanne Delle.
Three Victorian woman explorers (Kelsey Snively '20, Melanie McGeary '22 and Charity Stump '20) find their way through time in this play directed by Aili Huber.
On The Verge by Eric Overmyer
Three Victorian woman explorers (Kelsey Snively '20, Melanie McGeary '22 and Charity Stump '20) find their way through time in this play directed by Aili Huber.
Hannah Rowan '22 and Eva Heier '23 played part of the acting troupe who find a lost Shakespearean play in this slapstick comedy directed by Adam Murray.
William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play (Abridged) by Austin Tichenor & Reed Martin
Using all recommended safety procedures, YCP theatre presented a show outside on campus in September 2020. Hannah Rowan '22 and Eva Heier '23 played part of the acting troupe who find a lost Shakespearean play in this slapstick comedy directed by Adam Murray.
Alice in Wonderland by Suzanne Delle featuring Taara Muhammed '21 as Alice, Dax Lyle '21 as the March Hare, Stiles Colbert '22 as the Dormouse and Vivian Ferris '19 as the Mad Hatter.
Alice in Wonderland by Suzanne Delle
Our 2018 family-friendly matinee featured Taara Muhammad '21 in the title role and was directed by Seth Werner '06.
featuring students enrolled in THE430: Devised Theatre & Performance and directed by Tiffany Zellner '19
Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill
Featuring students enrolled in THE430: Devised Theatre & Performance and directed by Tiffany Zellner '19
Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi featuring Craig Babineaux '19 as King Joseph and Kyle Tacopina '19 as Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi
Featuring Craig Babineaux '19 as King Joseph and Kyle Tacopina '19 as Marie Antoinette, directed by Suzanne Delle.
Nat Turner in Jerusalem by Nathan Alan Davis featuring Craig Babineaux '19 as Nat Turner
Nat Turner in Jerusalem by Nathan Alan Davis
Featuring Craig Babineaux '19 as Nat Turner, directed by Paul Hood.
featuring Justin Rosenberger '22 as James Cagney / Bottom and Ally Mills '21 as Puck, directed by Suzanne Delle
Shakespeare in Hollywood by Ken Ludwig
Featuring Justin Rosenberger '22 as James Cagney / Bottom and Ally Mills '21 as Puck, directed by Suzanne Delle
Tick, Tick ... Boom! by Jonathan Larson featuring Lance Mitchell '22 as Jonathan Larson
Tick, Tick, Boom by Jonathan Larson
Featuring Lance Mitchell '22 as Jonathan Larson, directed by Mitch Nugent.
Mr. Burns
MR. BURNS, a post-electric play by Anne Washburn
Written for anyone who has ever had a favorite story and tried to share it, this play explores a post-apocalyptic world that finds comfort in an episode of The Simpsons. Featuring Nolan Benner ’17 as Mr. Burns and directed by Suzanne Delle.
Red Velvet
RED VELVET by Lolita Chakrabarti
This play explores the true story of Ira Aldridge, the first African-American actor to tackle the role of Othello. Featuring Craig Babineaux ’19 as Ira and Vivian Ferris ’19 as Halina the reporter who captures his story, directed by Danielle Drakes.
Speech and Debate
SPEECH AND DEBATE by Stephen Karam
Directed by Mitchell Nease ’18 as his senior thesis and featuring Jacklyn Motter ‘20 as Diwata and J’von Weems ’21 as Howie.
Baron Pugh
Baron Pugh
Scenic Designer for Marie Antionette
Ben Emerson
Ben Emerson
Sound Designer for The Woman in Black
Stefanie Hansen
Stefanie Hansen
Scenic Designer for A Midsummer Night's Dream
Danielle Drakes
Danielle Drakes
Director, Red Velvet
A close-up headshot of Paul Hood on a white backdrop
Paul Hood
Director, Nat Turner in Jerusalem and Blacktop Sky
Rebecca Etzine, guest artist headshot
Rebecca Etzine
Director, Everybody
Contact Us
Visual and Performing Arts Department
Matthew Inkster, D.Mus., Chair
Wolf Hall, Room 206A
Phone: 717.815.1526
minkster@ycp.edu
Hours:
Contact for appt.