Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre & Theatre Arts
"The theatre demands of its craftsmen that they know their jobs."
~ Robert Edmund Jones
~ Robert Edmund Jones
My teaching philosophy is grounded in two commitments: fostering autonomous, sustainable artistic practice and cultivating inclusive, respectful learning environments. I approach each course as a laboratory where experimentation and reflection drive student growth, challenging students to refine their methods and deepen their craft. My pedagogy emphasizes transparency and clear expectations as foundations for success, while prioritizing student agency within a structured but flexible process. Beyond technical skills, I equip students with critical frameworks and reflective habits that support independent, adaptable careers as artists, scholars, and leaders.
Inspired by Stella Adler’s idea that “your talent is your choice,” I resist approaches that prioritize technical precision over artistic depth. Instead, I cultivate “thinking artists” whose work is informed by interdisciplinary knowledge, aesthetic curiosity, and a commitment to meaning-making artists prepared to engage thoughtfully and creatively with an evolving landscape.
Inspired by Stella Adler’s idea that “your talent is your choice,” I resist approaches that prioritize technical precision over artistic depth. Instead, I cultivate “thinking artists” whose work is informed by interdisciplinary knowledge, aesthetic curiosity, and a commitment to meaning-making artists prepared to engage thoughtfully and creatively with an evolving landscape.
A full teaching philosophy and sample syllabi are available upon request.
"Thank you again for the invitation to speak to your class. I very much enjoyed myself, and you have a wonderful, bright, engaging group of students. You have created a wonderful dynamic in that classroom."
- Faculty Feedback, University of North Alabama
"I believe that Professor Skjaret is one of the finest theatre educators Concord University has had,
and any institution would be fortunate to have him. He was an outstanding addition to the
department and made a lasting impact on many students during his time here. His dedication and strong work ethic were evident in both the classroom and the rehearsal space, and I hope to one day become as respected and impactful an educator as he is."
—Student Feedback, Concord University
"I just wanted to reach out and let you know that I talked to the director and I got a job working lighting for it this summer! Thank you for encouraging me to talk to them, I truly don't think I would have done it without you pushing and encouraging me to do so!"
—Student Commentary, University of North Alabama
"This was a great lecture, and I have no suggestions based on my observations today.
—Faculty Lecture Evaluation, Concord University
"I’d like to give a special thanks to our director Lucas Skjaret for bringing this story to life. He did an amazing job with everything we had, even though we had a small budget and we’re a small liberal arts college that not many people know of. He took us in, believed in us, and pushed us to what he saw our potential could be, and that’s something I’ll always cherish in a director and a mentor."
— Student Course Evaluation, Concord University
- Faculty Feedback, University of North Alabama
"I believe that Professor Skjaret is one of the finest theatre educators Concord University has had,
and any institution would be fortunate to have him. He was an outstanding addition to the
department and made a lasting impact on many students during his time here. His dedication and strong work ethic were evident in both the classroom and the rehearsal space, and I hope to one day become as respected and impactful an educator as he is."
—Student Feedback, Concord University
"I just wanted to reach out and let you know that I talked to the director and I got a job working lighting for it this summer! Thank you for encouraging me to talk to them, I truly don't think I would have done it without you pushing and encouraging me to do so!"
—Student Commentary, University of North Alabama
"This was a great lecture, and I have no suggestions based on my observations today.
—Faculty Lecture Evaluation, Concord University
"I’d like to give a special thanks to our director Lucas Skjaret for bringing this story to life. He did an amazing job with everything we had, even though we had a small budget and we’re a small liberal arts college that not many people know of. He took us in, believed in us, and pushed us to what he saw our potential could be, and that’s something I’ll always cherish in a director and a mentor."
— Student Course Evaluation, Concord University
Academic Placements
Previous Appointments
- The University of North Alabama - Assistant Professor of Cinematic Arts & Theatre | 2025/2026
- Concord University - Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts (Tenure-Track) & Program Director | 2024/2025
- Baylor University - Lecturer | 2023/2024
- Baylor University - Graduate Teaching Assistant | 2021/2023
- The Stage Directors & Choreographers Society (Associate)
- The National Alliance of Acting Teachers
- The Association for Theatre in Higher Education
- Mid-America Theatre Conference
- Theatrical Intimacy Education—Diploma 1 (in progress)
- Teaching Capstone for Higher Education Certificate | Baylor University
- Designing for Online Teaching Success (D.O.T.S.) Certificate | Baylor University
- Awareness without Judgment - Actor Training Pedagogy | Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Courses Taught
LaGrange College
Acting 1
Drama Survey 1
Auditioning
Acting 1
Drama Survey 1
Auditioning
The University of North Alabama
CAT Elements Theatre Appreciation (online)
Beginning Acting Practicum/Senior Project
Scenography Dramatic Literature & Criticism
CAT Elements Theatre Appreciation (online)
Beginning Acting Practicum/Senior Project
Scenography Dramatic Literature & Criticism
Concord University
Introduction to Theatre Theatre History
Modern Drama Acting
Play Production Professional Internship
Introduction to Theatre Theatre History
Modern Drama Acting
Play Production Professional Internship
Baylor University
Lecturer Teaching Assistant
Intro. to Theatre (& online) Introduction to Theatre
Acting 1: Realism Musical Theatre Workshop (New Musical Development)
Teaching in English for International Teaching Assistants
Lecturer Teaching Assistant
Intro. to Theatre (& online) Introduction to Theatre
Acting 1: Realism Musical Theatre Workshop (New Musical Development)
Teaching in English for International Teaching Assistants
Masterclasses
Dramaturgy - Practical Analysis for Directors | Baylor University
Advanced Directing - Immersive Theatre | Baylor University
Dramaturgy - Practical Analysis for Directors | Baylor University
Advanced Directing - Immersive Theatre | Baylor University
Teaching Specialties
Introduction to Theatre; Script Analysis; Acting & Performance (Stage/Film/New Media); Devising/Stage Movement, Musical Theatre Performance & Studies, Directing; Theatre History; Dramaturgy; Contemporary Theatre; New Play Development/Playwriting; Queer Theatre; and Ibsen & Nordic Drama.
Introduction to Theatre; Script Analysis; Acting & Performance (Stage/Film/New Media); Devising/Stage Movement, Musical Theatre Performance & Studies, Directing; Theatre History; Dramaturgy; Contemporary Theatre; New Play Development/Playwriting; Queer Theatre; and Ibsen & Nordic Drama.
Academic
National
Senior Co-Chair – Playwriting Symposium | Mid-America Theatre Conference | 2026 – Present
Junior Co-Chair – Playwriting Symposium | Mid-America Theatre Conference | 2025 – 2026
Graduate Student Liaison – Playwriting Symposium | Mid-America Theatre Conference | 2023 – 2025
The University of North Alabama
Trumbauer Theatre Festival/Alabama Conference of Theatre Respondent | 2025 – Present
KCACTF Production Respondent (Alabama/Tennessee) | 2025 – Present
Homecoming Skit Competition Judge | 2025
Concord University
Program Director of Concord University Theatre | 2024 – 2025
Honors Committee | 2024 – 2025
Alpha Psi Omega | Faculty Advisor | 2024 – 2024
West Virginia Thespians’ One-Act Judicator | 2025 - 2025
National
Senior Co-Chair – Playwriting Symposium | Mid-America Theatre Conference | 2026 – Present
Junior Co-Chair – Playwriting Symposium | Mid-America Theatre Conference | 2025 – 2026
Graduate Student Liaison – Playwriting Symposium | Mid-America Theatre Conference | 2023 – 2025
The University of North Alabama
Trumbauer Theatre Festival/Alabama Conference of Theatre Respondent | 2025 – Present
KCACTF Production Respondent (Alabama/Tennessee) | 2025 – Present
Homecoming Skit Competition Judge | 2025
Concord University
Program Director of Concord University Theatre | 2024 – 2025
Honors Committee | 2024 – 2025
Alpha Psi Omega | Faculty Advisor | 2024 – 2024
West Virginia Thespians’ One-Act Judicator | 2025 - 2025
Three Sisters | Baylor University | Photo by Jared Tseng