The first Florida Technological University Theatre complex began as a 124-foot, yellow-and-blue tent under the directors David Mays and Harry Smith. The big yellow-and-blue tent had its first production, Shakespeare’s “Titus Andronicus,” on a chilly, teeth-chattering evening in November of 1969. Finally in 1972, the tent was closed down for a comfy more accommodating facility, the science auditorium. Then with the formation of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1981 the Theatre became a separate program with its own director. The present-day theatre complex, once the old science auditorium, in 1983 underwent $1.2 million in renovations.
The year-long renovation process added a large black box theatre, multipurpose rooms to be used for rehearsal, classes, and a wide variety of student productions—the first of which was “The Cherry Orchard.” In addition to the BA degree, the Department offers BFA degree, specializations in technical and theatre/design, a BFA track in Musical theatre, a Certificate in Arts Administration, an MA in General Theatre, and an MFA degree in Acting and Design. Finally in 2000/2001 academic year, the Department entered into a partnership with the Civic Theatre. This partnership resulted in the creation of The Orlando Repertory Theatre, housed in the theatre facilities in Loch Haven Park. This enabled the Department of Theater to become involved in youth programming thus adding an MFA in Theater for Young Audiences in 2004.
