William Carey University broke ground on Oct. 4 for a new addition to the Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre on the Hattiesburg campus. The new building will add more than 6,000 square feet to the existing theatre and replace the classroom and lab space previously housed in Tatum Court, which was demolished after the January tornado.
“This groundbreaking is another step in the full recovery of our Hattiesburg campus,” said WCU President Tommy King. “The theatre program has been an integral part of William Carey since 1915. Dr. Virginia Angelica Tatum and the late Joe Tatum have been strong supporters of Carey, especially the theater program, and we are grateful for their interest.”
Keone Fuqua, chair of the theatre and communication department, said the recovery and changes after the tornado mark a new era for the department. “While we are still feeling the loss of our past home at the bottom of the old Tatum Court, it is very exciting to think about the benefits of this new addition.”
The new building will include a scene shop, costume shop, acting lab, a small department library, a classroom, and faculty offices.
Fuqua said the new building will help the department operate more efficiently because the scene and costume shops will have direct access to the theatre. Previously, students would build sets in Tatum Court and then move them to Tatum Theatre. Costumes and props also had to be moved from one building to the other. “This will keep most factors of working on a production, practically and academically speaking, in one area without the obstacles of being in two different buildings across campus.”
The new shops will give students the advantage of working in a professional environment equipped with the appropriate work space and tools for the design and technical crafts. The acting lab will serve as a class and project space for the acting and directing courses, and will also function as a student showcase mini-black box performance space. The technical aspects of the space will allow it to be used as a lighting and sound design lab, giving the design and tech students two practical performance learning environments (the theatre and the lab space).
“The new addition upgrades the functionality of the theatre program and provides the students with a modern, safe, quality, and high-tech learning and working environment, which will attract new students to the program and foster a ‘Carey Strong’ future for the department as a whole,” said Fuqua.
William Carey University Theatre will open its 2017-18 performance season with “The God Committee” running Oct. 12-14 with shows nightly at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 14. Tickets are $5 for students, $8 for military and senior citizens, and $10 general admission. Reservations can be made by calling (601) 318-6221 beginning Monday, Oct. 9. The box office will be open Monday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. Free admission for WCU students, faculty and staff.