Theatre faculty stay in-tune with the industry

Lipscomb faculty continually hone their craft through professional opportunities outside the classroom.

Cate Zenzen | 12/10/2019

In true dedication to their work, the faculty at Lipscomb University not only share their talents and expertise in the classroom, but continue to develop as experts in the field. Within the Department of Theatre, housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, are artists who continue to stay active in the Nashville community. In addition to their involvement on campus, Beki Baker, Andy Bleiler and Nat McIntyre have upcoming projects they are excited to share with students and various audiences.

On campus, Beki Baker, chair of Lipscomb's theatre department, is known most recently for her direction of Bright Star, a production recognized by one of the musical’s own creators, comedian Steve Martin for its excellence. For Baker, this show joins a long line of directing credits which include work with the Nashville Repertory Theatre’s Ingram New Works Festival, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Blackbird Theatre Company and Tablerock Repertory. With such a career, Baker finds both academic and professional work to be very important.

"Directing, designing, and performing professionally outside of academic theatre is critical to our faculty’s teaching work. We stay updated with current trends, network with important professionals, and keep Lipscomb connected to the professional theatre industry,” said Baker. 

Baker is currently the director of A Christmas Carol for Nashville Repertory (Nov. 30-Dec. 22) and Steel Magnolias for Studio Tenn (Feb. 7-16, 2020).

Like any industry, dramatic arts and production are ever-evolving, and a professional with an active presence in the field makes for a relevant and resourceful educator. Assistant Professor of Theatre Andy Bleiler has found his passion both as an instructor and a set designer. His scenic design work for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt Opera Theatre, Blackbird Theater and Street Theatre have been recognized in The Tennessean, Broadway World, The Nashville Scene, and The Nashville Examiner. 

"I get to work with some of my professional theatre friends here in Nashville and have the opportunity to create exciting and interesting art for a wider audience. Not only does this foster strong relationships for me professionally, but it also helps to cement our program, and future opportunities for our students, into the larger theatre community,” said Bleiler.

Recent work for Bleiler includes set design for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival 2019 productions of The Tempest and Pericles. He hopes to broaden his professional design work to ultimately apply for membership in the United Scenic Artists union (U.S.A.), a professional union for all entertainment designers in the United States and Canada. 

Through work with other professionals, instructors keep their classroom curriculum up to date and continue to advance as artists. Often, they are allowed to bring students along to work on Nashville projects, which offers them professional experiences and connections. Assistant Professor of Theatre Nat McIntyre loves sharing his work with students, and expects them to provide him with critiques of their own. 

"One of the best things about training actors while working professionally is that I continually get to see my own work through the eyes of a student. It makes me sharper and, I think, more successful,” said McIntrye. 

McIntyre will direct As You Like It for Nashville Shakespeare at Lipscomb University (April 16-19, 2020) and A Streetcar Named Desire for Nashville Repertory at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Feb. 8-23, 2020). 

Through academic and professional work, Baker, Bleiler and McIntyre are in tune with present industry news and invested in the future of theatre production. Their insight and talent makes them the ideal instructors for aspiring young actors, designers and directors. 

Lipscomb University's Department of Theatre is committed to leading the future in arts education through rigorous training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and faith-focused community. On its stages, the next generation of citizen artists are cultivating the discipline and passion it takes to impact their communities and the world. To learn more about Lipscomb Theatre click here.