News

Mon, 06/02/2025

KU Department of Theatre & Dance announces 2025 award winners

Dozens of students studying theatre and dance at KU received applause and awards for outstanding achievement on stage and in the classroom during the Department of Theatre & Dance's 2025 Banquet.

Mon, 04/07/2025

KU Theatre’s ‘Pippin’ to showcase theatre magic, big dance numbers

University Theatre will conclude its season with a fantastic, classic musical from the creator of "Godspell" and "Wicked." “Pippin” by Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson plays April 11-19 in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre at Murphy Hall.

Wed, 03/05/2025

KU theatre design students receive awards at Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Regional Competition

KU student and faculty work received several commendations and awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region V Festival in Des Moines, Iowa.

Thu, 02/20/2025

'John Proctor Is the Villain' questions authority, convention

"John Proctor Is the Villain," directed by Jane Barnette and opening March 7 at the University of Kansas, is a darkly comic play about a contemporary high school English class.

Tue, 11/12/2024

University Dance Company Fall Concert will feature world-renowned hip-hop choreographer Amirah Sackett

Performing one weekend only: The University Dance Company Fall Concert will feature a large cast of KU students from all disciplines who will perform an array of diverse dance styles. Guest choreographer Amirah Sackett's work "Olive Branch" will serve as the concert’s finale.

Tue, 10/22/2024

KU Theatre to stage 'Hookman,' a darkly comedic salute to teenage slasher films

KU Theatre will present "Hookman" by Lauren Yee, which reminds everyone that college can be scary. Performances are Nov. 1-7 in the William Inge Memorial Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Thu, 09/12/2024

Based on a true story, 'Indecent' highlights lost moment in queer Jewish history

By turns comic and tragic, musical and literary, this play with music by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel recounts the true story of the first kiss between two women in Broadway theatre history. Playing one weekend only, Sept. 27-29 at Murphy Hall.

Fri, 09/06/2024

KU Theatre & Dance announces 2024 award and scholarship recipients

The Department of Theatre & Dance recently distributed more than $200,000 in awards and scholarships to 70 students. They include Kansans and students from across the U.S. and around the world.

Tue, 08/27/2024

KU Theatre & Dance announces 2024-25 performance season

The KU Theatre & Dance season lineup features KU students in musicals, contemporary drama and dance staged at Murphy Hall.

Thu, 05/30/2024

Theatre Design Student Earns 1st Place at National Contest

Two students represented the University of Kansas and showcased their skills as theatrical designers at the recent Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National competition in Washington, D.C.

Tue, 04/02/2024

University Dance Company performance will feature Kansas City Aerial Arts

The University Dance Company Spring Concert, featuring special guest Kansas City Aerial Arts, will include ballet, contemporary, hip hop and jazz dance performed by more than 50 students. Performances are April 5-7.

Tue, 03/19/2024

Theatre design students advance to Kennedy Center national festival

Two Department of Theatre & Dance students will represent the University of Kansas in April at the national Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Washington, D.C., following their recent KCACTF-Region V competition.

Wed, 03/06/2024

KU Theatre explores labor and community in award-winning drama ‘SWEAT’

“SWEAT” was based on research and dialogue that arose from the playwright embedding herself with the working class community of Reading, Pennsylvania, exploring how marginalized people build community and how they respond when that community is divided against itself.

Mon, 02/05/2024

KU to stage ‘Sweeney Todd,’ opening Feb. 16

Before the Broadway national tour begins, a local production of “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a Musical Thriller” will explore the psyche of the villain and bring Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant melodies to the community with the help of KU’s Opera and Symphony Orchestra.

Fri, 11/17/2023

New musical 'Milking Christmas' goes full-tilt merry

LAWRENCE — Audiences to the University Theatre’s next production will enjoy cheery musical numbers, over-the-top costumes and sweet storylines driven by even sweeter characters — literally, some of them are gingerbread cookies. Through all that, along with self-aware humor, a satirical message on capitalism and corporate greed emerges. “Milking Christmas,...

Thu, 10/26/2023

University Dance Company to present 2023 Fall Concert

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance faculty members, along with a regional guest choreographer, will present work in ballet, hip-hop and modern/contemporary dance styles at the University Dance Company Fall Concert next month. Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3-4 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 5. ...

Fri, 09/29/2023

KU Theatre to open its season with 'Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties'

LAWRENCE — The University Theatre will open its 2023-24 season with a play that unapologetically dives into taboo topics, dips into a revolution happening around the globe and features puppetry to help tell the story. A provocative exploration, “Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties” by Jen Silverman will be...

Sun, 08/06/2023

Announcing the 2023-24 KU Theatre & Dance Performance Season

Tue, 06/20/2023

KU Theatre & Dance 2023 Award and Scholarship Recipients

The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Kansas recognized 59 students for academic merit and contributions to Departmental performances at its year-end awards ceremony in May. ...

Thu, 03/16/2023

KU Theatre Design Student Earns Spot at National Kennedy Center Festival

KU Theatre & Dance earned awards and recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region V. Almost all of the outstanding work was part of actualized productions of KU’s University Theatre.

Wed, 10/12/2022

‘The Labyrinth of Desire,’ a cloak-and-dagger rom-com, set to open at KU Theatre

LAWRENCE – This October, fans of the performing arts can escape into a breezy, lighthearted play produced by the University Theatre within KU’s Department of Theatre & Dance. “The Labyrinth of Desire,” by Caridad Svich, offers comedic and romantic hijinks as a multitude of suitors vie for the love of...

Tue, 07/05/2022

Department of Theatre & Dance names 2022 award and scholarship winners

LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance recognized 53 students as recipients of its year-end awards and scholarships, totaling over $225,000 in financial support. ...

Thu, 06/09/2022

KU community mourns death of theatre & dance administrative associate Kim Bohmann

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas community is mourning the death of Kim Bohmann, an administrative associate for the Department of Theatre & Dance. Bohmann, 62, died June 3. ...

Mon, 04/18/2022

University Theatre set to perform 'H.M.S. Pinafore,' a comic class clash

LAWRENCE — Love doesn’t conform; it gets salty, particularly in "H.M.S. Pinafore," also known as "The Lass That Loved a Sailor," where W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan use satire to poke fun at the British class system through the lens of a love story. ...

Tue, 03/22/2022

University Dance Company Spring Concert set for March 25-27

LAWRENCE — After eight weeks of rehearsal, dancers in the University of Kansas Dance Company are eager to perform at the Spring Concert March 25-27. Students working alongside professional choreographers will showcase the artistry and energy of the Department of Theatre & Dance at this repertoire concert, staged in Murphy...

Wed, 02/16/2022

'Measure for Measure' kicks off spring season at KU Theatre

LAWRENCE — For its spring season opener, the University Theatre will stage “Measure for Measure” by William Shakespeare and set it in the “Wild West” of Kansas. Performances are Feb. 25-27 and March 4-6, with a simultaneous livestream available Feb. 25, 27 and March 4. ...

Mon, 11/22/2021

The Devils Between Us Plays at KU Theatre Dec. 3-9

(LAWRENCE-KS) – Any time a play tackles issues facing transgender people, you know it’s either an important script, sensationalistic, or worse, “trauma porn.” Rest assured, the University Theatre’s next production, "The Devils Between Us" focuses on uplifting LGBTQ and trans voices of color with the appropriate casting and care for...

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