Montgomery Bell Academy

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.

1 / 3

1 / 8

Meet the Theater Program

List of 7 members.

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
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
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
Mr. Nelson Berry 06

Latin Teacher, Theater Teacher, Strategy Club, International Thespian Society

Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A.
University of Georgia - M.A.

At MBA since 2010
Mr. Hunter Woolwine 12

Theater Manager/Technical Director

Sewanee: The University of the South - BA

At MBA since 2017
Mr. Jack Chambers

Network Administrator, Theatre Designer & Instructor

Sewanee: The University of the South
MCP, MCSA, Network+, Security+

At MBA since 2015
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