Center Stage
A Theatre Alumni Spotlight

ANDRIA SMITH ('91)

Andria Smith, a proud Milligan Alumna (BA in Humanities/Communications, class of 1991), started her professional theatre career (1998-2000) by pursuing an internship, at the urging of her mentors Richard Major and Karen Brewster, at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA. At Barter, she discovered a love for props and continued to work and learn, honing her skills as a props artisan, for another year. A great opportunity for work in her home town of Dallas, TX opened up at the Dallas Theater Center (2000-2005) where she worked as the Props Assistant in the 9 month season regional theater for the next 5 years. She occasionally moonlighted for a small local theater, Our Endeavors Theater, as props master/props designer. In the off season, she resided in Cedar City, UT and worked at the Utah Shakespearean Festival (2001-2005) where over the next 5 summers she worked her way up within the props department from props artisan to display supervisor and finally to the Randall Theater Props Master. Last August, Andria had the opportunity to take the position of Assistant Prop Master with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company (2006-present) in Chicago, Il where she continues to enjoy working behind the scenes.

Andria values her time and experience at Milligan greatly. The opportunities of working in a small theater with such caring, encouraging and challenging professors like Dick and Karen gave her the invaluable experience of theater at its best. Skills like problem solving, improvising and creative analysis were all challenged and fostered in the liberal arts environment. The excellent academics, the wonderful community, the quality of student and the invaluable relationship and nurturing of the student and professor at Milligan made for a unique and invaluable education.

Alumni Updates

Andria Smith ('91) - Fall 2006