Contact Us
Contact:
Streeks, Richard Paul
Administrative Coordinator
Theatre & Musical Theatre
ǻ's Theatre and Musical Theatre Program will prepare you to succeed in a variety of professions within and beyond the performing arts. All majors are grounded in a strong liberal arts tradition.
Our Mission
To be a supportive, vibrant, and rigorous learning community of artist-scholar-citizens within a diverse world-class liberal arts environment.
Our Vision
The ǻ Theatre and Musical Theatre Program is led by working theatre professionals and passionate educators who actively strive to:
- Prepare students for the ever-evolving contemporary theatre landscape, with a deep respect for the past, but eyes always on the future.
- Acknowledge and dismantle racism, anti-blackness and all discriminatory practices, while promoting inclusive and equitable ideas, values and policies.
- Directly engage with the political, social, and cultural issues of our times.
- Encourage students to take genuine risks, be brave enough to fail boldly, and continually grow and evolve as theatre artists and human beings. We encourage pushing boundaries, challenging assumptions, and expanding possibilities.
- Offer students the tools, techniques, experiences and connections that will allow them to successfully pursue a life in the theatre within the thriving Washington, DC area theatre community, as well as nationally and even internationally.
- Foster an equitable and inclusive learning environment that makes a significant personal investment in every student. We value the whole person and work diligently to help students on their path, wherever it may lead.
ճTheatre major features two options: a broadly focused and interdisciplinary Theatre Arts track, and a specialized track in Theatre Performance. ճMusical Theatre major builds upon the same liberal arts foundation with serious training in acting, voice, and dance. Regardless of major or track, all students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills and intellectual curiosity. Faculty are seasoned professional scholars, performers, writers, directors, designers, dramaturgs, and choreographers bringing the "real world" into the classroom.
Students interact with internationally recognized artists in classes, productions, and extra-curricular seminars and workshops. Recent distinguished guests and teaching artists include:
Kimberly Belflower (Read the story: ǻ's "Lost Girl" Cast Coached by Playwright Kimberly Belflower)
Meghan Brown (playwright)
Rachel Chavkin (Tony-winning director of Hadestown and Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812)
Will Davis (director and choreographer)
Jessica Frances Dukes (Ozark actor)
More recent guests
Kostas Gakis (Greek actor and composer)
Peter Hedges (screenwriter What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, About a Boy)
Ameenah Kaplan (actor and director)
Billy Magnussen (Into the Woods and Aladdin actor)
Maria Manuela Goyanes (Artistic Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre)
Megan Chan Meinero (playwright)
David Neumann (HadestownǰDz)
Jen Schriever (Broadway lighting designer)
Margo Seibert (Broadway actor & ǻ alum)
Paul Tazewell (Costume Designer for Hamilton and The Wiz Live)
John Douglas Thompson (Broadway actor)
Jessica Wu (actor and director)
Meet Guest Artist Nick Martin
Nick Martin (he/him) is directing our fall production of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea. Martin is Associate Artistic Director of Constellation Theatre Company, and a DC-based director. Some directing credits include Constellation Theatre Company: Orlando, Little Shop of Horrors (Helen Hayes Nominations - Direction and Production), Melancholy Play (Helen Hayes Awards - Direction and Production); Capital Fringe: Andromeda Breaks; Source Festival: Perfect Arrangement. He has assisted at Olney Theatre Center, Signature Theatre, Tectonic Theatre Project, and Constellation Theatre Company. On occasion Nick also acts and has worked with Pointless Theatre, Rorschach Theatre, Imagination Stage, and Shakespeare Theatre Company. Education: BA in Theatre and Math, The College of William & Mary.
News & Notes
- Tickets Stay tuned for our spring performance lineup! from ǻ Arts.
- DC Theater Arts reviewed our production Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea:
- The Eagle's Jessica Ackerman reviewed our production In Pieces: A New Musical:
- DC Theater Arts reviewed our production In Pieces: A New Musical:
- The Eagle's Alia Messina reviewed our production As You Like It:
- DC Theater Arts reviewed our production As You Like It:
- Actor and comedian Jana Bernard's (CAS '17) work was profiled in the Forbes article
- Sirra Faal (CAS '24) was cast in by Mfoniso Udofia at Round House Theatre, September 11-October 6.
- Fiona Rose Murphey's (CAS BA '22 and MA '23) article about their work as assistant director in our spring 2023 production of Kimberly Belflower's Lost Girl, was published in the Journal of Consent Based Performance.
- Professor Faedra Chatard Carpenter served as Dramaturg for Metamorphoses at the Folger Shakespeare Library.
- Professor Meghan Raham worked as scenic designer for Topdog/Underdog and A Jumping-Off Point at Roundhouse Theatre.
- Professor Aaron Posner directed at the American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
- Professor Nancy Bannon completed a playwrighting residency with the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
ǻ alumni and faculty received Helen Hayes Awards in May 2024. Josh Sticklin (CAS '08) received the Helen award for Outstanding Set Design for Seussical at Keegan Theatre. Seussical also received the Helen award for Outstanding Production—Musical, which featured Prof. Jason Arnold (Lighting Designer) and Alli Pearson (CAS '23) (Sound Board Operator). Prof. Jonathan Holmes received the Helen award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play for The Honey Trap at Solas Nua.
DC Theater Arts' Haley Huchler reviewed Spring Awakening:
Aaron Posner's adaptation Life Sucks at Interact Theater Company received seven nominations from the for Theatrical Excellence.
The Eagle's Jessica Ackerman reviewed Urinetown, the Musical:
More News and Notes
DC Theater Arts' Amy Kotkin reviewed Urinetown, the Musical:
Aaron Posner’s adaptation of the Chaim Potok novel is playing at the Théâtre des Béliers Parisiens in Paris as Je m’appelle Asher Lev, February-March.
Aaron Posner’s adaptation of the Chaim Potoknovel is playing in March at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Posner is also directing the show, a co-production with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
ǻ Theatre faculty nominations for Helen Hayes Awards: Janos Szaz (Outstanding Direction of a Play/Angels in America at Arena Stage), Robb Hunter (Outstanding Choreography in a Play/ King Lear at Shakespeare Theatre Company), Shanara Gabrielle (Outstanding Choreography in a Play/ The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe at Adventure Theatre), Angelisa Gillyard, (Outstanding Choreography in a Play / The Hula-Hoopin' Queen at Imagination Stage), and Jonathan Holmes (Outstanding Lead performer in a play / The Honey Trap at Solas Nua).
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer Janos Szasz directed Angels in America: Millennium Approaches at Arena Stage, which appeared on The Washington Post’s list of
DC Theater Arts' Gregory Ford reviewed Damn Things Will Kill Ya by Olivia Luzquinos (CAS '23):
The ǻ Alumni Associated hosted a talk about the Broadway musical Here Lies Love featuring Don Mike Mendoza (SOC/BA ’10, MA ’17). and read Mendoza's profile.
ǻTV featured in its fall broadcast.
The Eagle's Jessica Ackerman reviewed Head Over Heels:
Professor Carl Menninger spoke on the podcast about program auditions, blending art and social justice, and more.
The Eagle's Isabelle Kravis reviewed Daughers of Leda:
Caroline Bock reviewed Daughters of Leda for DC Theatre Arts:
The Eagle's Jessica Ackerman reviewed Overture:
Daniella Ignacio (CAS '21) reviewed Overture for DC Theater Arts:
reviwed our March production of Kimberly Belflower's Lost Girl.
Theatre professor Aaron Posner directed William Shakespeare's at Round House Theatre in Washington, DC. The play was reviewed by The , and Posner was interviewed by
Theatre professor Tara Giordano played the part of Ruby in an Off-Broadway production of Hot Fudge at Potomac Theatre Project in New York City. The play was reviewed by the
Theatre professor emerita Caleen Jennings wrote Wanda's Way, which premiered at the Logan Festival of Solo Performance at 1st Stage in Tysons, Virginia in summer 2022. The performance was reviewed by
at American Players Theatre in summer 2022 in Spring Green, Wisconsin.
Theatre & Musical Theatre Capstone: A Call for a New Federal Theatre Project See performance videos, FTP research, and program notes.
Distinguished Associate Professor Aaron Posner won the 2020 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Play for Life Sucks.
Theatre professor emerita Caleen Jennings won the first-ever ǻ Faculty Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
FAQ
How many theatre productions are students able to perform in?
The Department of Performing Arts produces 5 mainstage theatre shows per school year. Our students have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of shows from classics to contemporary works; from traditional book musicals to new cutting edge musicals. We also feature a New Works program that affords students the opportunity to be a part of premiere productions of original new plays and musicals. We produce shows in our Studio Theatre in the Katzen Arts Center, and in the Greenberg Theatre, a 296-seat proscenium theatre near ǻ's main campus.
Can non-majors audition for theatre productions and get involved in theatre groups?
We have an open casting policy! You don't have to be a major or minor to get involved. There are numerous student-run performing groups including , , , BlackList, ǻ Quills and Capes, and . In these groups and several others, students produce, direct, write, choreograph, design, and perform. In addition to participation from performing arts majors and minors, these companies draw students from all across the campus and from many disciplines. They perform to packed houses.
Can students get involved with technical theatre and behind-the-scenes experiences?
There are lots of opportunities in stage management and technical theatre for majors and non-majors alike. The Theatre Arts major allows student stage managers and design and technical theatre students to enjoy the same liberal arts foundation courses as our other majors, in addition to gaining terrific hands-on experience. Most significantly, our design and technical students get work on and off campus! Current students and alums earn money in DC's thriving theatre community.
What is the Greenberg Theatre?
The 300-seat Greenberg Theatre on Wisconsin Avenue is state of the art. It is in a thriving section of the city-accessible to campus, restaurants and the metro. This will be home to many outstanding seasons of events in the years to come.
What is the Katzen Arts Center?
The Katzen Arts Center brings all the visual and performing arts programs at ǻ into one 130,000 square foot space. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the arts, the center provides state-of-the-art instructional, exhibition, and performance space for all the arts disciplines.
The Center features the extraordinary 30,000 square foot ǻ Museum, directed by Jack Rasmussen, with a variety of gallery spaces for exhibition of exciting contemporary art from the nation's capital region and the world, along with ǻ's own Watkins Collection, the collection of Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen, the Corcoran Legacy Collection, and the Alper Initiative for Washington Art.
The Katzen Arts Center stands as a clear statement to the community that there exists a place where the arts are honored as an essential part of higher education. That place is ǻ.
Can I double major?
The 51-credit Theatre or Musical Theatre major is designed to allow students the opportunity the double major in another area of study.
What have some of our recent theatre graduates gone on to do?
Recent alumni have worked at virtually every major theatre and arts organization in the DC metro area, including The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, Ford's Theatre, The Folger Shakespeare Library and Folger Consort, Studio Theatre, Arena Stage, and The National Players National Tour. Many have gone on to graduate school in a variety of disciplines including acting and design. Our alumni also range in profession from actors, designers, and arts managers, to educators, lawyers, translators, writers, and business people. Some have started their own professional theatre companies.
What opportunities does the DC theatre community offer students?
DC offers a large, diverse and exciting theatre community with over 80 working professional theatres. Students are therefore exposed to a wide range of styles and types of theatre. Additionally, the DC area provides rare opportunities to see and be a part of international and multicultural performances, performance on the national and international political "stage," government jobs in the arts, arts education, and arts policy.