Theatre students step into professional roles with Nashville Shakespeare Festival
When audiences enter the Troutt Theater this February for Belmont’s production of “Pride and Prejudice,” they won't find the traditional drawing rooms and empire-waist gowns of Jane Austen's England. Instead, they'll discover an imaginative world where chairs stack 12 feet high in gravity-defying angles, actors transform between characters in full view and period costumes meet 1990s revival fashion.
This bold reimagining of the show represents more than just an innovative take on a classic story – it showcases a deepening creative partnership between Belmont's Department of Theatre and Dance and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival that's elevating student artists to new professional heights.
The production features six Belmont students performing alongside two professional actors, with additional students leading the creative vision for sets, costumes and lighting. For these emerging theatre artists, it's an opportunity to work in a professional environment while still having educational support – a key step in bridging the gap between classroom and career.
Reimagining a Classic
“This is not your grandmother's Pride and Prejudice,” said Jason Spelbring, artistic director of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, who joined the company five months ago and is directing the production. “Think of Bridgerton tipped over – we're intentionally moving away from what audiences might expect.”
The show is playwright Kate Hamill's adaptation of Austen's novel, bringing a fast-paced, contemporary energy to the beloved story. Spelbring's direction embraces this modern spirit, encouraging students to push creative boundaries while maintaining professional standards. His motto in rehearsals – "Swift but not sloppy" – sets the tone for a process that balances artistic exploration with professional expectations.
“Jason is such a visionary,” said Christiana Allison, senior theatre performance major who plays Elizabeth Bennet. “He expects us to do our homework and work hard, but at the same time, he allows this freedom and exploration. We'll get on our feet and follow our instincts, then he'll guide us toward what works best for the show.”
Professional Trust Meets Educational Growth
For students like Keira Maupin, a junior theatre major serving as assistant costume designer, the production offers a taste of professional autonomy while maintaining supportive guidance. “With this production, it's a lot more of the sentiment, 'you guys are professionals, I trust you,’" she explained. “We have check-ins every now and then, but it's very much treating us like professionals. The work must get done, and it's on us to make sure that happens.”
This balance is intentional, as explained by Brent Maddox, chair of Belmont's Department of Theatre and Dance. “What we're essentially doing is helping the students bridge the gap between their academic work and their academic experiences with professional experiences,” he said. “When they're working alongside people from the industry doing this full time, they're getting insight as to what the professional industry is going to be like.”
The collaboration has already sparked creative problem-solving among the student designers. With six of the eight actors playing multiple roles, the costume team had to devise ways for characters to transform in full view of the audience – all within 30 seconds.
“We have to really make it seem smooth and effortless," Maupin added. “The actors can't be looking down when they're buttoning and pulling on snaps and taking this off and putting on a hat. It has to just be like second nature to them.”
Learning through Collaboration
The spirit of collaboration extends throughout every aspect of the production. While Spelbring brings extensive experience as both a theatre professor and professional director, he approaches the rehearsal process as a mutual learning environment.
“I've never been in a situation where there was so much collaboration and communication," he noted. During a recent rehearsal, while he worked with actors in one area of the stage, another group of student performers took the initiative to problem-solve their own scene. “When I came back, they had worked out this perfect moment. That's the kind of ease and community and communication I'm seeing from these Belmont students.”
This production in particular has created opportunities for student designers and performers to work together in new ways. The costume and set teams have worked closely to create moments where actors can seamlessly change characters on stage. “All of these elements – the tilted furniture, the costume transformations, the lighting – they're all connected,” noted Spelbring. “It's been incredible to watch these students take ownership of their areas while finding creative ways to support each other's work.”
Building Future Artists
For Belmont's theatre students, this professional partnership builds on the department's multifaceted approach to education. Through a combination of hands-on experience and classroom learning, students develop diverse skills that prepare them for professional careers.
“We're not just actors, but artists,” Allison explained. “We learn how to write, direct, even build sets. It's not just acting techniques – we're learning about theatre as a whole.”
Each student comes to the production with a unique set of skills, from Maupin's background in fashion studies informing her costume work to performers understanding the technical aspects of their quick changes.
“It's practical, hands-on, real-life learning experience where you learn how to problem solve, work with other people, be on a team, collaborate,” noted Maupin. “When you graduate, you really have a bunch of tools in your tool belt, and you never know what might get you the job or get your foot in the door.”
And, Allison added, working with professional actors in the ensemble has provided valuable insights into the industry. “They're so kind, willing to listen and learn from each other – it's incredibly motivating,” she said. “As I approach graduation, seeing their collaborative spirit has inspired me to be a stronger, more giving actor.”
Transforming the Future
These professional opportunities often lead to future collaborations and represent what's possible when professional companies invest in emerging artists. “The students at Belmont are the artists of tomorrow,” Spelbring said. “We are building bridges to provide more opportunities for local artists, and it doesn't matter if you've been in this city for 55 years or you're a second-year student at Belmont. Nashville Shakespeare Festival is continuing to build these bridges with these young creatives.”
Spelbring noted that the Festival's upcoming summer production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" at OneCity will include roles suitable for college students, creating additional professional pathways for Belmont performers. For students like Allison, who graduates in May, these professional experiences are invaluable preparation for entering the industry.
The results of this creative collaboration will be on display when "Pride and Prejudice" opens at Belmont's Troutt Theater, Feb. 20-March 2. Audiences can expect a fresh take on Austen's classic that showcases both professional polish and emerging talent.
"It's not just about learning your lines or doing the technical work," Allison reflected. “The whole show is about transformation. Our director keeps reminding us that what happens on stage is just as important as how we work together to get there. That's what being a professional is all about.”
Tickets are available at nashvilleshakes.org.
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