MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — A current Middle Tennessee State University student, faculty member and two alumni are bringing their shared MTSU Theatre experience to the professional stage this month at Nashville Repertory Theatre.

MTSU Theatre directing faculty member Lauren Shouse is directing Nashville Rep’s production of “John Proctor Is the Villain,” running through Oct. 18 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Johnson Theater.

Recent MTSU graduate Malana Harris serves as apprentice director, while current student Norah Younger performs the role of Shelby. MTSU Theatre alumna Melissa Durmon, who graduated in 2000, serves as costume designer for the production.

For Shouse, the production also marks a full-circle moment in her nearly 20-year relationship with Nashville Rep.

“Nashville Rep has been an artistic home to me for almost 20 years,” Shouse said. “And when I first read ‘John Proctor Is the Villain’ in 2019, I knew it would be a great show for Middle Tennessee.”

Written by Kimberly Belflower, the play follows students at a rural Georgia high school who are studying Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and begin questioning the traditional portrayal of John Proctor as the play’s hero.

Shouse’s first production with Nashville Rep was its 2007 staging of “The Crucible,” when she worked as assistant stage manager.

“So, it has been fun to come full circle nearly 20 years later to have a conversation with ‘The Crucible’ in a different way,” Shouse said.

The production also allows Shouse to work professionally alongside two MTSU Theatre artists she previously worked with on campus.

Harris graduated from MTSU in May with a degree in theatre. As a student, she directed two full-length productions, including a reimagined version of “The Crucible” through Alpha Psi Omega and the production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” on the Tucker Theatre stage.

Harris said those opportunities helped prepare her for professional directing work.

“During that process, working with Lauren as my mentor and having the faculty show immense support, I was able to gain knowledge and confidence in myself as a director,” Harris said.

Shouse later encouraged Harris to apply for the Nashville Rep directing apprenticeship. Harris has worked alongside Shouse throughout the production, from the first rehearsal through final dress. Her responsibilities have included contributing during table work, providing another set of eyes for Shouse and assisting with technical elements, actor notes and communication with the production team.

“I have learned so much about working as a director in professional theatre from all aspects, such as communicating with a design and admin team, to working with actors from all over the country,” Harris said.

Younger earned her role through Nashville Rep’s regular audition process.

“She came through the audition process just like everyone else and just took our breath away as Shelby in callbacks,” Shouse said. “I was so excited to be able to have one of our current MTSU theatre students in the production.”

The connections among the three extend beyond the Nashville Rep production. Younger and Harris previously appeared together in MTSU Theatre productions of “Our Town” and “The Wolves,” both directed by Shouse. Younger also performed in Harris’ production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.”

For Shouse, maintaining an active professional career is an important part of what she brings back to the classroom.

“I have always believed that to be an effective teacher, you also need to do the work and it goes both ways,” Shouse said. “My teaching makes me a better director and vice versa.”

“John Proctor Is the Villain” has another connection to MTSU Theatre. The play was developed through The Farm Theater’s College Collaboration Project, which involves college students in the development of new theatrical works. MTSU Theatre participated in the program during the development of “The Ruminants” in 2023-24.

Shouse said working on new plays gives students opportunities to collaborate with playwrights while strengthening skills in script analysis, character development, plot structure and revision.

“We want our theatre students at MTSU to continue to contribute to the next great play for the American theatre,” Shouse said.

“John Proctor Is the Villain” continues through Oct. 18 at TPAC’s Johnson Theater in Nashville. Performance and ticket information is available through Nashville Repertory Theatre.

— Mike Davis ([email protected])