Theatre at STU

There are multiple avenues for STUdents to get involved in theatre on campus. Whether you’re looking for an academic or extracurricular experience, our theatre offerings will give you the opportunity to learn and perform.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Fine Arts Courses in Musical Theatre
For students interested in conservatory-style musical theatre training, the Fine Arts Department offers practical classes in acting, singing, and dancing, as well as theatre production and design. Each year, Musical Theatre students put on a show in the Black Box Theatre. Past productions include Chicago, Newsies, Sweeney Todd, and Cabaret.

English Courses in Drama
For students interested in practicing and studying theatre, the Department of English Language and Literature offers specialized courses in acting and theatre production, scripts, and directing.

EXTRACURRICULAR THEATRE OPPORTUNITIES

Black Box Productions
Black Box Productions is St Thomas University’s home for theatre. It brings together students, staff, and members of the community to create bold and relevant theatre.  Open to all, the company is committed to fostering inclusivity, diversity, and equity—recognizing that this action requires an ongoing commitment to the ever-evolving nature of our community. Through mentorship, training, and collaboration, Black Box Productions aims to be a meaningful part of the broader theatre community, all while recognizing the influential history of theatre at St. Thomas.

How do we do this?

• GROW:  Actively pursue collaborations, productions, and training that encourages inclusivity, diversity, and equity.  
• LEARN:  Engage diverse professional theatre artists and artistic organizations across the Fredericton community and beyond to direct, teach workshops, and share skills.
• PLAY:  Create diverse and exhilarating theatre that challenges, inspires, and entertains.  
• LEAD:  Foster student leadership through student-led initiatives and participation in the Black Box Productions Student Advisory Committee which guides the administrative, artistic, and policy decisions of the company.

Black Box Productions Contact Information

Artistic Advisor:  Lisa Anne Ross – laross@stu.ca
Technical Director:  Chris Saad – saad@stu.ca

The Plain Site Theatre Festival

The Plain Site Theatre Festival, founded and curated by STU Alum Alex Rioux, in partnership with Black Box Productions and Solo Chicken Productions, is proud to call the St. Thomas University campus home.  The Plain Site Theatre Festival is New Brunswick’s premier 2SLGBTQIA+ theatre festival dedicated to promoting queer focused storytelling and visibility by providing emerging artists and students a safer space to develop their craft under the guidance of established 2SLGBTQIA+ artists.

St. Thomas Early English Drama Society
The Early English Drama Society (STEEDS) is a student-run theatre company that focuses on pre-1800 drama in English. Past performances include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and The Importance of Being Earnest.

Faculty Advisor:  Dr. Andrea Schutz - schutz@stu.ca