Immersion is an opportunity for undergraduate students to pursue their passions and interests through experiential learning. Immersion experiences in cinema, media arts, and theatre are open to all students, not just majors and minors. Check out the Immersion website for more information and see examples of past experiences below.
In addition to study abroad, many departmental courses have an experiential Immersion component. Students can also be involved in a theatre production for Immersion. Performance auditions, as well as backstage crew opportunities, are open to all students in the Vanderbilt community. Students may also conduct research projects to fulfill their Immersion requirement.
Internships allow students to gain real-world experience and to explore career paths that may fit their interests after graduation.
The Vandy-in-Hollywood Summer Internship Program provides the opportunity to work with various entertainment enterprises and to form relationships within the media industry. VIH places approximately 30 students per year at some of Hollywood’s top studios, agencies, distributors and production companies. Interns gain access to guest lecturers, pre-release film screenings and premieres, studio tours, and other special events presented by Vanderbilt alumni.
“As a member of the first VIH internship class who is now a television staff writer, I specifically credit this internship program and a Vandy alum involved in VIH with putting me on a path to achieve my dream. I truly hope more students can benefit from that system.” - Sam Miller
A variety of study abroad and Maymester opportunities exist for CMAT students, with some opportunities also fulfilling the Immersion requirement. These engaging programs offer a global, real-world education that is unmatched.
IES London
Vanderbilt has partnered with IES London to offer a semester-long, study abroad program in theatre studies. The program emphasizes London’s contemporary theatre scene, the British theatre industry and theatrical practices, and British theatre history and criticism. See the IES London information on the Study Abroad website.
Study Abroad in Ireland
“I had the pleasure of studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland. Although Vanderbilt only sent seven students to Trinity that semester, there are many perks to studying abroad with a smaller program. I have been able to travel all over Europe, explore art in a way that refreshed me beyond belief, and made friends that I know will last a lifetime. Though I missed my theater family back at Vanderbilt, my time in Ireland served as the most beautiful setting as I worked on completing the written component of my senior honors thesis in theater. Though thousands of miles separated me and the beloved Neely Auditorium, I knew a new me would be back and ready to learn.” -Olutobi “Tobi” Akisanya
FREN 3230/CMA 3772: History and Economic of French Film: From Paris to Cannes
In this Maymester course, students explore the history and current state of the French film industry in France. Students engage in French film history from its beginnings, through the Golden Age, the New Wave, and up to the present day. After gaining a comprehensive understanding of French film history and economics, students travel to the Cannes Film Festival.
Watch students who walked the red carpet at Cannes during this amazing class experience.
Maymester in London
Each year, the department offers a Maymester course for students interested in traveling to London and other cities like Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh to attend theatre and other live events to study the performance culture of the British Isles. Students across Vanderbilt join, but we especially encourage theatre majors and minors to attend.
“I couldn’t believe how easy it was for me to feel acclimated! I’d never been to the UK before, in fact I’d never been outside the US before, so I expected to be anxious. But we become so immersed in the culture, and very quickly we were given the tools we needed to adjust. Also, by seeing so much theatre, we were able to learn the culture’s artistic values and feel connected. It was a huge learning experience for me.” – Sarah Lovett
“I had no idea how much I could see in one trip. Every day we did so much and saw so many things.” – Lily Gussis
“I loved going to the Highland Games so much! It was so fun to be in this rural Scottish location and be with locals coming out to support their culture.” – Madison Good
“One of the most memorable experiences from our first stint in London was our trip to the Underbelly Festival in Cavendish Square for La Clique, an extravagant and mesmerizing cabaret (or what Essin called a “somewhat naughty burlesque”). – Audrey Molina
“It wasn’t the shows or the tourist attractions or even the cities themselves that made this trip so meaningful; it was the people. It was the long nights of packing into tiny hotel rooms to play Jackbox games. It was the seemingly endless train rides full of cards and practical jokes for hours on end. It was being with a group of people that, despite only knowing them for a few weeks, felt like a family.” – Will Henke
Other Opportunities
Students often select a study abroad experience that offers a more interdisciplinary experience and connects with another major. Theatre courses in these various programs can count for department credit toward a major or minor, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.
VUT is a student organization whose membership is open to any Vanderbilt student, regardless of area of study. VUT encourages participation in theatrical productions across campus and hosts a variety of social events throughout the year. The executive board works closely with the theatre faculty on these efforts.
President: Natalie Wright
Seasonal Production Manager/Vice President: Mackenna Guadagnoli
Business Manager: Wren Vinavongso
Secretary: Paige Givens
Events and Outreach Chair: Victoria Travassos
Publicity Graphics Chair: Starlyn Fistein
Social Media Chair: Rhylee Tucker