Kendall Bryant (she/her/hers)
BFA Musical Theatre
Class of 2024

Email: kendallbryant1@icloud.com
IG: @kendallebryant
TikTok: @kendallebryant
FB: Kendall Bryant

What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

My favorite part about Belmont MT is the community that has been created here. We are always reminded that this is the last time we will have such a strong community of people before really stepping out into the industry. I also really appreciate the training we get at Belmont. The voice program is absolutely amazing, and I have loved every voice lesson I have done here. 

What would you change about your program? Why?

If I could change anything about our program at Belmont, I would add more dance. Most of our classes are foundational in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Modern, and only go through level 3, whereas I know other schools have more styles offered and higher levels. I will say, though, we have great ballet training with Maggie Pelton and Tap with Debbie Belue. 

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

I think Belmont is a competitive program, but not between each other. I know lots of programs emphasize their “family” feel, but Belmont’s community really does feel safe and supportive. I have never felt or seen anyone be competitive with each other here. Our professors are also extremely supportive, and will literally drop everything to help you out, or schedule a call/meeting with you if you are having a hard time or just need to talk things out. They are also there if you ARE having a problem with someone (which is pretty rare). There are only 60 of us, so everyone knows everyone…however, I do not feel like I am trapped within the major or with the same people. 

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

Juniors and Seniors get their own shows! A 30 minute recital as a junior to perform all of your favorite rep, and then a full production as a senior that you will direct and star in! I knew a little bit about it, but it’s my favorite part of the year. The whole program comes to the shows, and watches you shine! So much fun. 

What makes your program unique?

We have mandatory casting from Sophomore year on. Freshman year fall starts as a non-performance year (at least for MainStage), and you will work some aspect of tech, so either props, lights, costumes, sets, etc. Also, the freshmen will perform their Freshman Showcase in the fall, which is like the introduction to the program. Then in the spring, depending on the shows, freshmen may be allowed to audition. Then, from Sophomore year on, you are guaranteed to be cast in the MainStage musicals. The musicals at Belmont are only for Musical Theatre majors, so no one from outside of the program is allowed to audition. There is also a BA in MT, but they are not allowed to be a part of the MainStages. There are two Musicals per semester, usually a MainStage at Belmont in the Troutt or Fisher Center, but sometimes we partner with Nashville Children’s Theatre or StudioTenn to get equity credits before graduating. 

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

We have performance opportunities every year, but many more after freshman year. Freshmen have a freshman showcase, and sophomores and older are all in one mainstage per semester, which is mandatory as part of the major. We audition once per semester for mainstage shows, on top of mock auditions, SETC, and summerstock auditions every semester. I did about 7 auditions total this semester. We are usually asked to prepare two 32’s as well as a monologue. Then, for callbacks we are given sides and specific songs to sing. Auditions are always fair, and everyone is cast in each show. Many roles are also double cast for more opportunities, and everyone is guaranteed at least one lead role by the time we graduate.

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?

I am heavily involved in the Belmont community outside of MT, however it is not the easiest thing to do. Most students are involved in something outside of MT, whether it’s Greek Life, Towering Traditions team, clubs, bible study groups, minors, etc. It is impossible to double major in Musical Theatre, unless you are a BA rather than a BFA. I do have a minor in dance, as do many other Musical Theatre students. The most popular minors MT’s have are in dance, education, marketing, and communications. I am also involved in Greek Life on campus, but I end up having to miss a lot of chapter meetings and events for MT, which is common for Musical Theatre majors. Greek Life seems scary at big southern schools, but at Belmont it’s super laid back, and not make or break. You cannot miss Musical Theatre for an extracurricular, so sororities cannot punish you for missing events if it is for your major. I still enjoy being a part of Greek Life, but it can get hard balancing all of it. 

Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?

Yes! All students sophomore through senior are required to submit to the SETC conference for summer stock work. After passing the prescreen, most students get invited to go in person to audition for about 80 companies. We are also sent auditions by our professors. Most students after sophomore year are encouraged to work over the summer if given a performance opportunity. We also have several companies come audition students on campus, like Windish, Holiday World, and RWS, because we are a big music school. During the year, we are partnered with Nashville Children’s Theatre and StudioTenn, so we will often have a production with one of their companies using BUMT students (only) in it, or our students will be cast in several of their shows. After graduating, most students will either stay in Nashville and pursue music opportunities, or move to NYC or LA. Many also book cruises, and we have several alums working at Disney World and on National Tours. 

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

I feel like the dance program can tend to lack a little bit of the extra push I feel I need. For students who are movers, the dance program gives very strong foundational material, and can occasionally be challenging. But most of our dance is modern-based, and we don’t have many MT jazz opportunities outside of dance masterclasses and MainStages. 

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

Very good dynamic - faculty are some of the most caring individuals. They will literally drop everything to look out for you at school, and make sure you are going on the right path for your education and training. I am very thankful for my professors, they are like my parents away from home. There are four main MT professors: Nancy Allen, Erica Aubrey, Jo Lynn Burks, and David Shamburger. We also have a choreographer Anna Perry, and voice teacher Ryan Greenawalt who are also very involved in the program. 

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

We have voice lessons weekly, as well as voice seminar where we perform our rep pieces that we are working on every week. Here, we are provided feedback from our voice teachers (as well as in lessons) and also are given feedback from students. Student feedback is mostly positive, we write little love notes and write about technique, intention, etc of the performance. I have never felt attacked by another student trying to pick apart my work. 

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

We have honestly been a predominantly white program in the past, but more recently we have been accepting more diverse classes. We do not cast based on race, except when necessary for roles created for POC and specific races. We never do shows we know we couldn’t cast with who we have, and have program-wide meetings at least once per semester about diversity, equity, and inclusion within our program and beyond. We have POC performers and speakers come talk to the program during class time, and Belmont MT is getting better about creating a safe space for all students to talk about race and inclusion. 

What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health? 

Free therapy!!! I have never personally used this resource, but many students do. We have a great nursing school, as well as health services center that is there for your every need. We are also right next to Vanderbilt, which is the health capital. There are LOTS of nearby resources which are easy to access. 

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

Making friends!! You are coming in with 60 best friends that literally already love you… A LOT! AND…it’s really easy to get involved outside of MT. We are housed in the music school, and you’ll have a lot of classes with other musicians, as well as people in the theatre/dance school, and gen eds that will help you branch out and make friends. Also, getting involved in Greek Life and other organizations is really easy! 

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

THE PEOPLE! Talking with Ms. Nancy and the other prospective students was amazing, and the program offered everything that I wanted. AND it’s in Nashville, MUSIC CITYYYYYYY!!! I knew it was the perfect place for me. 

Sydney Lofton (she/her/hers)
BFA Theatre Performance
Class of 2022

Email: sydneyhlofton@gmail.com
IG: @sydneyhlofton
FB: Sydney Lofton
TikTok: @sydneyhlofton

What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?

I love how many opportunities there are, acting and otherwise. There is always something going on in our department. Directing and Motion Pictures students constantly need actors. There’s the Mainstage season of course, but we also have a Discovery Series.

My favorite performance opportunity though is The Belmont Reparatory Company. This company creates an original children’s show and tours it around Nashville Schools. It was truly a formative performance opportunity and so fulfilling to bring theatre to kids! 

What would you change about your program? Why?

I wish our program had more full-time professors. Due to fewer professors, there are some really fantastic classes that only come up once or twice in a four-year rotation. 

I think communication could improve. The generation of actors and artists entering the industry now is more comfortable with open communication, and department leadership could be strengthened by encouraging more student feedback. . 

How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!

Supportive. It feels like family in good and bad ways. It’s competitive around audition time, but everyone wants each other to succeed overall. On the bad side, like family, everyone knows each other’s business too.. 

What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?

I did not expect to gain so much movement training. I did not really know what stage movement was before coming to school. I only thought of dance or stage combat, but the movement training I have received was one of my favorite surprises. It has shaped my craft as an actor and led me to pursue Intimacy Direction as well. 

What makes your program unique?

We have a class called Production Lab. Majors take this every semester, and each semester we are assigned a crew position. This could be pre-production such as sets, props, or lights. You could also be assigned run crew, wardrobe crew, Assistant/Stage Manager, or another position during the run. This has helped me understand aspects of theatre outside my focus, and I feel more confident entering the professional world because I have more skills and know how to talk with coworkers outside of my discipline. 

Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?

All BFA performance majors are required to audition for mainstage shows, BAs and minors may audition too. BFA performance majors are most likely to be cast. Sometimes freshman can audition the first semester, but in some years the fall auditions were the spring before. Most freshmen do not get cast in mainstages but there are exceptions, especially for directors who like to work with the younger students. The Discovery Series is our shows that do not fall under the mainstage. This work is more experimental and opens up more opportunities, especially for freshmen. 

Once auditions and callbacks are done, the directors for the semester meet and discuss casting. You can be cast in multiple mainstages a semester, but generally that is not physically possible. 

During my time, every senior was guaranteed a senior capstone role, but that has since changed. The seniors now put on a festival in the spring. This should prevent casting seniors in roles they are not right for. 

It is generally said that the second semester of sophomore year is when your training will start to stick in, and you will be cast. This was true for me. Some were cast earlier or later.

What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?

I know many people with minors or in Greek life. Both are difficult. In order to minor, it is helpful to have AP credit or be willing to take classes in the May or summer sessions. Greek life conflicts with some rehearsals, but Belmont’s Greek life is pretty chill so it is not a problem for most. Double majoring is only available for the BA track if you want to graduate in 4 years. You can get a double emphasis withing the theatre major (ie directing and performance). 

Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?

As far as work during the school year, job opportunities may be listed on call boards or in department emails - but working professionally during the year can be difficult.

For summer or post-grad work, our department encourages students to attend SETC.

Overall, I feel that support has been lacking here and that they could inform students of more opportunities. Faculty are working to improve this and have begun including these discussions in our weekly meetings. 

Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?

I think there could me more resources given to students about where to look for professional work and how to engage in Nashville’s theatre scene. 

What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?

Faculty are supportive and generally willing to help you grow in any way they can. I have developed great relationships with my professors, and I know myself and my friends each have at least one professor that we are close with. 

What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?

There is lots of time spent in performance classes discussing work in-class. There are also Portfolio classes, where you select and work audition material in one-on-one and group sessions. There is a lot of individualized feedback here, and Portfolio I was one of my favorite classes! 

This year on the first department meeting, students gave feedback to the department through guided questions in small groups. It gave the faculty some concrete goals on where to improve. Additionally, at the end of each semester you can submit anonymous course evaluations 

What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment? 

Truthfully, Belmont is slow to grow here. Belmont has a new DEI statement and has created a Welcome Home Diversity Council that is supposed to help promote greater inclusion on campus. Recently Belmont has dedicated Freedom Plaza on campus as they have begun to take accountability that the campus is on the grounds of an old plantation. There are student groups that are there to support BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ students, but there is much more change needed from senior leadership. 2017-2020 DEI reports can be found online. 

What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health? 

Belmont University offers free counseling services both through their offices and an online portal with 24/7 access to counselors. TAO, Therapy Assistance Online, is another encouraged program that is self-guided. As a Belmont student you are required to attend WELL-Core, a series of lectures across four years. Many of these lectures focus on physical and emotional wellbeing. 

Belmont has a free campus gym including group fitness classes. You can pay for personal training packages, as well.  

The theatre department encourages emotional safety while performing. While past experience may be used to inform our work, I have not been asked to dredge up trauma and call it art 

What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?

I was so worried that I wouldn’t have an acting breakthrough. I thought “what if it doesn’t CLICK for me?” I had no idea how many different methods of acting were out there. Belmont starts with a Meisner foundation, but we explore the work of many other practitioners. I found what works for me, and I did not need to stress about what my acting breakthrough would look like. 

How did you know that this was the right place for you?

I knew when I talked to the faculty. I could tell that the professors supported the students and that there was a lot of love in the department. I wanted somewhere that felt like home and that is how the faculty made me feel.