Brent Menchinger is the Chair of Global Languages and Theatre Arts at Murray State University. He is a Design and Technical Theatre Professor with 23 years of experience teaching. Brent has designed lighting for major music acts and scenery and for operas, musicals, plays, ballet, modern dance concerts, and videos. He has also designed event and music exhibits. Brent has two Study Abroad experiences as the primary London instructor and director/teacher for London and Dublin. Brent has also traveled to Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Explore theatre in London and Dublin while learning about the rich history, design, art, and architecture that is the cultural context for the theatrical preeminence of these two famous cities. The class will attend various kinds of performances, including at West End theatres in London and a Christmas pantomime in Dublin, as well as visit historical theatres like the Globe, Drury Lane, and National Theatre in London and the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Also planned is a day trip to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, as well as visits to sites like the British Museum, the Tower of London, and the monastic ruins at Glendalough near Dublin that will enrich your understanding of the historical and cultural milieu informing the theatrical traditions of England and Ireland.
Open to students of all majors; of particular interest to those with a passion for theatre, its music, associated trades, and design elements; those who love art, architecture, and history.
This course requires an additional $150 to cover theatre-related activities.
- Experience the vibrant world of theatre, from iconic productions to exclusive tours of historic venues like the Globe and Drury Lane.
- Engage your senses through an array of artistic expressions, from visual masterpieces to the delights of local cuisine.
- Discover the unique charm of British and Irish theatre traditions, from the grandeur of London's West End to the whimsical hilarity of Dublin's Christmas Panto, promising unforgettable moments of laughter and interaction.
- Indulge in an evening of Irish dance and cuisine at the renowned Arlington, rounding out your theatrical journey with a taste of Irish culture.
- Ring in the New Year with fireworks above Buckingham Palace.