"I really felt welcomed at Morris...and I loved the facilities!"
—Dustin Engstrom ’01
From a classic proscenium designed by the creator of the Guthrie to an experimental space for innovation and improvisation, the University of Minnesota, Morris provides performing spaces and technical shops to meet all the artistic needs and goals of students and faculty.
Raymond J. Lammers Proscenium Theatre
The Raymond J. Lammers Proscenium Theatre, built in 1973, was designed by Ralph Rapson, famed for his design of the original Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. It seats 346 people and features a large stage with a light and sound booth, 31-set fly system, orchestra pit, trapdoor, side stages, and a spiral staircase going up to a “Juliet balcony.” This space is used for both performances and classes.
Black Box Theatre
The Black Box Theatre is a perfect space for more experimental and intimate theatre. It has flexible seating for up to 175 people. This space is used for both performances and classes.
Theatre Scene Shop
The scene shop is used to build sets for discipline productions. Features of this space include a large paint rack, plenty of windows for natural lighting, and prop and furniture storage that can be made available for students doing scene work. The scene shop employs workstudy eligible students; in addition, participants from various theatre classes may work in the shop to fulfill practicum requirements. This space is also used for some classes, such as scene painting.
Theatre Costume Shop
The costume shop builds costumes, often designed by students, for discipline productions. It is well-equipped and well-stocked with costumes from various historical periods, the modern era, and fantasy creations. It features large costume storage areas, dressing rooms, and a makeup area. The costume shop employs students who are eligible for workstudy jobs as well as Morris Student Administrative Fellow (MSAF) interns.
Theatre Publicity Office
The publicity office produces materials for discipline productions. It features two computers with InDesign and Photoshop for student workers to create posters, programs, and tickets. The publicity office employs students who are eligible for workstudy jobs as well as Morris Student Administrative Fellow (MSAF) interns.
Rehearsal Hall
The Rehearsal Hall primarily functions as a classroom for both theatre and dance. It features a wall of mirrors, ample natural lighting, and a space built specifically to be comparable to the size of both the Proscenium and Black Box stages. This space is also made available to theatre and dance students to rehearse outside of class.
Green Room
The Green Room is an open, natural-lit space located adjacent to the Proscenium Theatre. In addition to being a haven for actors waiting to go onstage, it is the office location for faculty in theatre, communications, media & rhetoric, and art history, making it a popular spot for meet-ups and social gatherings.