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Theatre Arts

Corban Theatre Arts provides a platform for students to use their talents to serve God in creative productions that display truths about the human condition, the world we live in, and the power of redemption. We do this through comedies, tragedies, dramas, and musicals. 

Corban Theatre play poster for the production of Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Fall Play: Around the World in 80 Days

Written by Jules Verne | Adapted by Michael Huett

Directed by Tamara McGinnis

Corban Theatre brings to life the classic adventure of an eccentric Englishman, Phileas Fogg, who believes he can circumnavigate the world in exactly 80 days. Since this story in set in 1872, before planes and automobiles, Fogg’s assertion is ridiculed. However, he is so certain of his success he wagers his fortune on it and immediately embarks on his journey where he meets with obstacles, adventure, and unexpected challenges.

Showtimes & Tickets

Matinee Performances:
November 13, 2025 | 10:30 a.m.
November 23, 2025 | 2:00 p.m.

Evening Performances:
November 14, 15, 21, & 22, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.

Theatre at Corban

  • Activates creativity and imagination. 
  • Challenges assumptions and explores empathy in new ways. 
  • Cultivates meaningful relationships. 
  • Develops skills like collaboration and interdependence through a tight-knit cast and crew. 
  • Reveals more about God’s character.

Learn More about…

A man and woman dressed in period costumes act on stage in the production of "Good Wives."
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Two Productions Per Year

Each fall and spring, students participate as actors or assist with costuming, makeup, stage managing, and more. Whether under the lights or behind the scenes, theatre arts offers a unique opportunity to express God-honoring creativity and imagination.

Cast members in vibrant costumes portraying characters from Sleeping Beauty, Briar Rose on stage, showcasing a lively performance.
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Cast & Crew

Students from all majors get involved in Corban Theatre productions, collaborating both on-stage and behind-the-scenes to create wonderful productions. Auditions are traditionally held during the second week of classes each semester and are open to all Corban students. 

Many Corban alumni who were active in theatre are now teaching theatre in schools, directing drama groups in churches, writing scripts for church and community projects, and acting in theatre troops, both amateur and professional.

A man dressed in a theatrical costume, acting on stage in the play "Fools."
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Corban Theatre Scholarships

New, incoming freshmen and transfers can apply for a renewable theatre participation scholarship. These scholarships are for both actors and off-stage roles (costuming, set, etc.).

Theatre Scholarship
Two high school girls on stage at Theatre Camp, holding a sign that reads "Math," engaging the audience with their performance.
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Theatre Camp

Each summer, Corban University offers a two-week theatre camp for students entering grades 4–12. This positive and fun training provides education in theatre skills and a platform for students to explore and express their God-given creativity and imagination. Campers participate in the complete theatre process, from scriptwriting to set and costume design to acting.

Theatre Camp
A man and woman seated at a table; Tamara McGinnis reviews notes while observing a theatre practice session.
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Tamara McGinnis | Director of Theatre Arts

In addition to teaching English and communications courses, Professor Tamara McGinnis has directed theatre at Corban since 1990, producing shows ranging from Shakespeare’s Macbeth to Meredith’s The Music Man. In that time, she has gathered a group of loyal volunteers who help to ensure quality productions each year. 

In addition to directing and producing Corban shows, McGinnis frequently presents drama seminars, directs a summer children’s theatre camp at Corban, and heads a theatre patron group.

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Contact Us

Past Productions:

  • Alice – Rachel Ost 
  • American Primitive – William Gibson 
  • Anne of Green Gables – L. M. Montgomery; adapted by Joseph Robinette 
  • Antigone – Sophocles; adapted by Jean Anouilh 
  • Arsenic & Old Lace – Joseph Kesselring 
  • Bear Witness – James Reach 
  • Busy Body – Jack Popplewell 
  • Camelot – Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner 
  • Cinderella – Rodgers & Hammerstein 
  • The Comedy of Errors – William Shakespeare 
  • The Cup of Trembling – Elizabeth Berryhill 
  • Curious Savage – John Patrick 
  • An Enemy of the People – Henrik Ibsen; adapted by Arthur Miller 
  • Esther: The Hebrew Queen – David Ian 
  • Everyman – David Ian 
  • Exit The Body – Fred Carmichael 
  • The Firstborn – Christopher Fry 
  • Fools – Neil Simon 
  • God’s Favorite – Neil Simon 
  • The Good Doctor – Neil Simon 
  • Good Wives – Louisa May Alcott; adapted by Peter Clapham 
  • Great Expectations – Charles Dickens; adapted by Barbara Field 
  • Harvey – Mary Chase 
  • The Hound of the Baskervilles – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; adapted by Tim Kelly 
  • Humbug – John Wooten 
  • I’ll Leave It To You – Noel Coward 
  • The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde 
  • Into The Woods – Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine
  • Little Theatre’s Production of Hamlet – Jean Battlo
  • Little Women – Louisa May Alcott; adapted by Peter Clapham
  • Luxury Cruise – Fred Carmichael
  • Macbeth – William Shakespeare
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream – William Shakespeare
  • The Miracle Worker – William Gibson
  • Much Ado About Nothing – William Shakespeare
  • Murder in the Cathedral – T. S. Eliot
  • A Murder Is Announced – Agatha Christie; adapted by Leslie Darbon
  • Murder on the Orient Express – Agatha Christie; adapted by Ken Ludwig
  • The Music Man – Meredith Wilson
  • The Odyssey – Homer; adapted by Thomas Hischak
  • Our Town – Thornton Wilder 
  • The Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster; adapted by Susan Nanus
  • Pilgrim – John Bunyan; adapted by Tom Key
  • Quilters – Barbara Damashek & Molly Newman
  • Relative Values – Noel Coward
  • Remember My Name – Joanna Halpert Kraus
  • Robin Hood – Larry Blamire
  • See How They Run – Philip King
  • Sense & Sensibility – Jane Austen; adapted by Emma Whipday
  • Sleeping Beauty, Briar Rose – Max Bush
  • State Fair – Rodgers, Hammerstein, Briggs & Mattioli
  • Suite Surrender – Michael McKeever
  • Tartuffe – Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Moliere)
  • The Tragedy of King Saul – Vittorio Alfieri
  • Twelfth Night – William Shakespeare
  • You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown – Charles M. Schulz; book, music, & lyrics by Clark Gesner