Performing Arts

Peter and the Starcatcher (2016-17)

From the earliest days of Belmont Abbey College, with the founding of the Abbey Players theatre company in 1883, the students, faculty, and staff have collaborated in dramatic and musical performances.

This tradition has taken differing forms, but remains a constant of the Abbey experience. Students who are involved with the Abbey Players may also join the Theatre Arts and Dance minors.

Below are the main expressions of the arts on our campus today. These along with other activities that may be found in our calendar of events, ensure we have a vibrant arts community here at Belmont Abbey College.

• Arts at the Abbey is a free cultural series that brings artists from a wide variety of backgrounds and genres to campus.

• The Abbey Chorus, founded more recently, the campus choral ensemble is open both to members of the college and neighboring communities. As part of the Arts at the Abbey series, the ensemble primarily performs sacred works of the past 500 years but also does a variety of secular music from folksongs to musicals. The chorus is under the direction of Abbey organist Karen Hite Jacob. All performances are free to the public.

• The Abbey Players, in continuous production for the last 133 years, these productions are open to performers in the wider community through our association with Belmont Community Theatre since 1990. We take great pride in creating professional-level productions in an intimate setting. Join us, and you’ll enjoy some of the best performances in our region at an affordable price.

• The Abbey Dancers performs a concert every spring, takes part in the Christmas at the Abbey annual event, and performs at a variety of community events throughout the year. With the addition of the dance minor, performance opportunities grow every year. All students at Belmont Abbey are welcome to take part, perform, and learn from the director as well as renowned choreographers. We take great pride in producing engaging and entertaining choreographic works of art. All campus performances are open to the public and free for all students.

See links at the left for full information and schedules.