LORT & Actor's Equity Membership

The University of Tennessee is one of just 17 universities nationwide with its own professional theatre associated with the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). The Clarence Brown Theatre is a LORT D theatre produced by the Department of Theatre to foster professional standards in its academic curriculum and serve the greater East Tennessee Community. It is home to one of the older resident companies in the League. This season, four of the department’s eight subscription productions are produced on the LORT contract, allowing students to work alongside seasoned professionals and hone their crafts at the highest professional level. Founded in 1974 with Sir Anthony Quayle as Artistic Director, The Clarence Brown Theatre has a distinguished history of hosting artists of stature, including John Cullum, Zoe Caldwell, Mary Martin, Carol Mayo-Jenkins, and David Keith, among others. The Clarence Brown Theatre Company also tours productions to national and international festivals.

All faculty members of the Department of Theatre have dual appointments as Resident Artists with the professional company. MFA Design students have the opportunity to work on LORT productions throughout their graduate training. MFA Acting students may join the Equity company in their third year of study.