Alma College Shutters Theatre Program; Announcement Catches Students Off-Guard

Announcement delivered in mid-September leaves students and alumni surprised as the theatre program winds down, and department leadership exits.

Alma College has notified students and faculty that it will close its Theatre academic program, placing the major into immediate teach-out and ending formal coursework in the discipline. The decision, announced to students in mid-September, means the department will no longer admit new theatre majors and will phase out all theatre classes as current students complete their degrees.

According to Encore Michigan reporting, students already enrolled in the major will be allowed to graduate, but many required theatre courses will no longer be available. Instead, students may opt to choose course substitutions from other departments to satisfy remaining degree requirements. Alma also confirmed it will fund one theatrical production per year, directed by a contracted guest artist, shifting theatre at the college from an academic curriculum to a limited co-curricular activity. It is unclear whether current students will choose to transfer to other institutions, or what support and assistance will be provided by the college for those seeking to continue their education in the field.

Students responded publicly through a statement from the Delta Beta Chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honor society.

“The closing of our academic program is heartbreaking,” the statement reads. “We are committed to keeping theatre alive on campus, but we cannot do it alone. We ask the community to continue supporting us as we participate in KCACTF, USITT, and other opportunities that have shaped generations of Alma theatre students.”

The group also noted that the decision was delivered without warning, saying the news “came as a shock to students and faculty alike.”

As a direct result of the program’s closure, Kelli Crump, MFA and MA, Assistant Professor and Director of Theatre, will not return to the staff next fall.

Alma’s announcement comes during a period of instability for several small Michigan colleges. While most institutions of similar size—including Hope College, Kalamazoo College, Albion College, and others—continue to operate BA-level theatre majors, Siena Heights University, which also offers a BA in Theatre, announced earlier this year that the university will close entirely after the 2025–26 academic year. Alma’s theatre-program closure, however, affects only this single department.

Alma offered this written statement:

“This decision was not made lightly, and it comes after extensive review, consultation, and consideration of the long-term sustainability and academic priorities of Alma College." - Timothy J. Rath, Director of College Communications

The statement continues, "Our obligation as stewards of the college’s mission requires us to constantly evaluate enrollment numbers to ensure the viability of our academic offerings for generations to come.

We want to emphasize that theatre performances will continue to be an important part of campus life. Students from all majors will still have opportunities to participate in productions, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the performing arts. Alma College looks forward to the continued growth and development of our music and dance programs, which remain vibrant and well-supported areas of study and performance.”

Encore Michigan reporting has also confirmed that graduates of the Alma College theatre department were not informed of this closure by the university — instead learning of the news through word of mouth and via social media posts.

Following the announcement, the theatre department and major appear to have been removed from the college’s website. Alma College did not respond to further questions or additional requests for comment.

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