The Light Fine Arts Building was remodeled in 2001, for the Theatre Arts Department that includes a new state of the art lighting system for Nelda K. Balch Playhouse and remodeling of the Dungeon Theatre, Scene Shop, Design and Lighting Classroom, and the Tully Memorial Design Studio.

The Dungeon is a black box experimental arena which received a sound and light booth and a new entrance during the recent renovations. An extensive computerized lighting system was installed several years ago. A large room with flexible seating, the Dungeon can be rearranged for each production. The Dungeon Theatre is the main venue for our Senior Performance Series and is also used as classroom space.

The Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, which opened in 1977, is the first thrust stage in the state, modeled after the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis and the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ontario. The Playhouse has a new state of the art computerized lighting system and a four-channel sound system. The Playhouse has an authentic thrust stage and is the home of the main stage performances of Festival Playhouse.

The Theatre Arts Department also has outstanding support spaces for performance and rehearsal, including a complex of dressing rooms. Technical facilities include costume and scene shops, welding and pneumatic air tools, a lighting lab, a properties shop, and a historic costume collection.