Mission Statement
Theatrix’s mission is to provide opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and techniques through collaborative theatre within an entirely student-run educational environment.
- We encourage these theatrical artists to explore and experiment with contemporary, classical, and “original” material that may not be reflected in the Main Stage season.
- Theatrix productions will be held in The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film’s Lab Theatre. Due to limited funds and space, Theatrix shows are produced with minimal sets, lights, and costumes. The goal is to work outside the box rather than force a larger-scale production without the means to do so.
Our Vision
While the Nebraska Repertory Theatre provides select opportunities to work with professionals on a larger scale, Theatrix exists to provide a space for students to experiment, which is equally as valuable in an educational environment. Any Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film student can leave their time here at UNL having credits under their belt that are experimental, more involved, creating an overall diverse repertoire. They also have the opportunity to gain experience in areas unexplored by the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, such as directing and arts administration.
Core Values
Student-Driven
Students will comprise all aspects of Theatrix membership, including (but not limited to) leadership, production teams, and casts. While faculty insight and expertise is valuable, it will be the students who make the final decisions and conduct the company’s processes.
Providing Opportunities
While Theatrix is oftentimes treated as a stepping stone towards other work, such as with the Nebraska Repertory Theatre, it primarily exists to provide opportunities for students to be a part of another production within the school. Said opportunities supply unique things to learn compared to the other ones a UNL student may have, including (but not limited to) working on a more collaborative artistic team, participating in a field outside of one’s own, and community outreach.
Doing More With Less
Theatrix exists with a limited budget granted by the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, with outside fundraising being strictly prohibited. This, as well as the reality that many participating members of Theatrix are coming in with little to no experience, creates a unique opportunity to do more with less. Smaller scale and interpretive shows and designs serve to make students think outside-the-box.
Prioritizing Personal Well-Being
Everyone who participates in Theatrix needs to prioritize their personal well-being, as well as the well-being of others. Productions should be exciting and engaging, and should not be put on if they are going to create more stressors than rewards. That is not to say that a production cannot create stress, that is oftentimes a byproduct of passion and hardwork. But that stress needs to be appropriate and healthy for the production rather than a detriment to those involved. Also, students should not participate in Theatrix if they are unable to keep up their grades while doing so. A large part of personal well-being is success in their studies.