University of Central Florida Theatre Program Collection

The FTU/UCF Theatre Program started in Fall 1968 as a one-person unit in the Department of Communications in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. David D. Mays, Associate Professor of Communications, was the first faculty member hired. The University's first established dramatics company started as a little theatre group on November 6, 1968. It was tentatively called Pegasus I (after the University emblem), but then became, "Motha", which stands for muddled orange (the color used to paint Shakespeare's theatre) and theatre (abbreviated to "tha"). Motha presented its first four major productions in the 1969/1970 school year. In 1970 the group was renamed the "Village Players."

With the formation of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1981/82, Theatre became a separate department with its own director. Since its beginning, the Department had offered the BA degree, but the curriculum and programs were extensively revised in 1992 to include a professional BFA degree with specializations in performance and technical theatre/design. MA and MFA degrees were added in the Fall of 2001, and graduate students may specialize in Acting, Musical Theatre, Design, Theatre for Young Audiences, or Theatre Studies. In addition, the season of plays for 1993/94 was expanded to six main-stage productions and six student-directed one-act studio productions. During the summer of 1994, Theatre UCF initiated its first summer theatre program with a summer season of four productions produced by a company of theatre students, faculty, staff, and visiting guest artists.

An air-blown tent was acquired in October 1968 as the theatre's first home, but it was soon replaced as it was impractical. Classes and productions largely took place in a blue and yellow striped tent until 1972/73 when they were moved into the Science Auditorium. In 1983, following major renovations, the building was renamed the University Theatre. The University of Central Florida Theatre Department now includes the Stage One (Mainstage) Theatre and the Stage Two (Black Box) Theatre. The Mainstage Theatre seats 300 and is home to Theatre UCF, as well as the Theatre UCF Summer Company. The Stage Two Theatre seats 125. Beginning with the 2003-2004 season Theatre UCF, now known as UCF Conservatory Theatre, is presenting 14 plays.

In August 2000 the UCF Theatre Program merged with the 73-year-old Civic Theatre of Central Florida to create the Orlando Repertory Theatre, which produces plays for children and families, specializing in dramatizations of children's literature and UCF student productions. It provides an opportunity for graduate students on the Theatre for Young Audiences track to gain valuable experience.