The Theater Program at Montgomery Bell Academy

The Theater Program at MBA helps students develop creative solutions to complex problems. In facing the challenges of performance, students develop sensitivity to the interpersonal relationships inherent in the collaborative process and grow as individuals, thus preparing them for all enterprises that value these qualities. 
  
As teachers, we spend a great deal of time discussing what “character” means. How do we “build character” both on stage and in our lives? My favorite motto by modern acting teacher Sanford Meisner is “an ounce of behavior is worth a ton of words.” This too, applies both to how we prepare a role and how we prepare ourselves for living as responsible adults. It is very important (but also complicated) to be a gentleman in our contemporary world. Theater offers a mirror for understanding these complexities; at the same time, it celebrates life’s mystery and revels in life’s joys, its comic absurdities and its sheer silliness. Moreover, while plays celebrate individuality, they also show the power of people uniting behind a shared cause. Play-making urges self-discovery and expression, yet it depends for its effectiveness on the attentive and passionate collaboration of all the artists involved.

Specifically, the theater program's curricular and extra-curricular offerings provide a history and an appreciation of drama for the beginning student, as well as extensive training and college preparation for the advanced student.
    

Meet the Theater Program

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Joseph Bromfield

    Mr. Joseph Bromfield 

    English Teacher, Theater Teacher
    University of Virginia - MFA
    London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art - Post-Graduate Diploma
    Rollins College - BA
    At MBA since 2020
  • Photo of Beau Henson

    Mr. Beau Henson 

    Latin Teacher, Theater Teacher
    University of Southern California - PhD (All But Dissertation)
    University of Southern California - MA
    Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Master of Performance
    Vanderbilt University - BA
    At MBA since 2020
  • Photo of Cal Fuller

    Dr. Cal Fuller 

    Vis. & Perform. Arts Chair, Theater Program Director, Senior Seminar, Service Club
    Northwestern University - Ph.D.
    University of Chicago - M.A.
    Davidson College - BA
    At MBA since 1997
  • Photo of Nelson Berry

    Mr. Nelson Berry 06

    Latin Teacher, Theater, Strategy Club, International Thespian Society
    Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A.
    University of Georgia - M.A.
    At MBA since 2010
  • Photo of Hunter Woolwine

    Mr. Hunter Woolwine 12

    Theater Manager/Technical Director
    Sewanee: The University of the South - BA
    At MBA since 2017
  • Photo of Jack Chambers

    Mr. Jack Chambers 

    Network Administrator, Theatre Designer & Instructor
    Sewanee: The University of the South
    At MBA since 2015
  • Photo of Gracie Bassett

    Mrs. Gracie (Killman) Bassett 

    English Department Chair; JS English Teacher; Theater Program Teacher
    615-369-5350
    University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill - BA
    Yale Divinity School - MDiv
    At MBA since 2015

Montgomery Bell Academy

4001 Harding Road
Nashville, TN 37205
(615) 298-5514