Faculty
Brenson Thomas
MFA, Sarah Lawrence College. Thomas is a Black and queer actor, writer, and theatre-maker. Brenson has performed in: Wilderness Generation (Philadelphia Theatre Company; World Premiere), Wishing to Grow Up Brightly (Co-Creator/Co-Book Writer, Ensemble; World Premiere, Theatre Horizon), Fat Ham (Wilma Theater), Abandon (World Premiere, Theatre Exile; Barrymore Winner for Outstanding Original Production), The Appointment by Lightning Rod Special (2019-FringeArts/Next Door at NYTW; "Best of 2019 Theatre": New York Times, Time Out New York, New York Magazine), This is the Week That Is (1812 Productions), Noises Off (Delaware Theatre Company), Into the Woods and Backing Track (Arden Theatre Company, World Premiere). Brenson also writes for TV/Film, most recently working under Susan Fales-Hill as Staff Writer on season 2 of Lena Waithe's Twenties. As a playwright, Brenson was commissioned by Cardinal Stage (Bloomington, IN), and is the Co-Creator and Co-Book Writer of the musical Wishing to Grow Up Brightly. SLC, 2026–
Undergraduate Courses 2026-2027
Theatre
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Open, Component—Year
THEA 5341
This course is designed to hone the actor’s skills and develop foundational techniques rooted in script analysis and action. While “feelings,” “meaning,” and “emotions” can be helpful in building a character, understanding the concrete elements of a script and its given circumstances allows an actor to deepen and expand their work into playful, imaginative spaces. Students will analyze contemporary scripts, interrogating a character's objectives, obstacles, and tactics. What do they want? What do they actually do? The shape of the course will be active: students will engage in physical and vocal warm-ups and improvisation to prepare them to be on their feet workshopping scenes. The goal is for the thinking actor to utilize their analytical skills to build characters grounded in the text. Students will leave the course with a shared vocabulary of tools they can draw on as they step into myriad rehearsal processes for scripted plays.
Faculty