Colby Theater & Dance

Strider Theater is named in honor of Robert E. L. Strider II (Colby President from 1960 to 1979) and is the Department of Theater & Dance’s primary performance venue. This intimate proscenium style theater, seating 262, was constructed in 1976 and dedicated in 1977. The theater is located in Runnals Union on the south end of campus near the Foss residence hall.

Renovations to the dance studio, lighting system, rigging system, and sound system allow students an excellent opportunity to use first-rate equipment in classes and in production. The lighting system is a 256 dimmer-per-circuit ETC system controlled by an Insight 2x/Emphasis console. Through system inputs students can learn to use various control languages to operate moving lights, color control systems and MIDI fired peripherals. Well equipped lighting and sound booths house an excellent inventory of sound and lighting equipment, while a fully equipped scene shop is attached to the stage via sound-proof doors.