News
Tue, 04/07/2026
KU Theatre students, faculty recognized at American College Theatre Festival regionals
Outstanding work in theatre design, dramaturgy, directing and acting earned KU professors and students honors at the American College Theatre Festival regionals.
Wed, 04/01/2026
University Dance Company Spring Concert to feature uplifting student performances
Three KU faculty choreographers and Kansas City's Sam McReynolds, a guest artist who was in residency at KU this spring, present work in modern/contemporary, jazz, hip-hop and disco styles for the University Dance Company Spring Concert. A work by Jayhawk Tap Company will also be featured.
Wed, 02/18/2026
‘Corners Grove’ performances will explore the ties that bind community
A new theatre work being staged at the University Theatre gives 21st century vibes to a classic tale of belonging. Told in metatheatrical style, the play by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin explores love, friendship and loss, showing the power of theatre to help audiences appreciate life’s daily experiences. Performances begin March 6.
Wed, 01/28/2026
FOREST Collaborations: Choreographer using grant for ongoing nature project
KU dance faculty member Shannon Stewart has received a $10,000 unrestricted grant that comes with one of 53 inaugural State of the Art Prizes from the New York-based Creative Capital Foundation. She'll use the funding in part for an April performance to coincide with the opening of a new nature trail within Baldwin Woods, part of KU Field Station.
Tue, 11/11/2025
University Dance Company Fall Concert builds to an out-of-this-world finale
Dozens of students and faculty members have been rehearsing for the last 12 weeks to perfect six choreographic works featured in the University Dance Company Fall Concert, which will take place Nov. 14-16. Tap, ballet, modern/contemporary and flamenco will be performed.
Thu, 10/09/2025
Words, worlds collide in the ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ at KU Theatre
The University of Kansas’ William Inge Memorial Theatre will be transformed into a space for nervous, sweaty and sometimes ornery junior high spelling bee contestants in the University Theatre’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The production runs Oct. 24 to Nov. 2.
Tue, 09/16/2025
Inspired by the true story of a trailblazing astronomer, ‘Silent Sky’ will open Oct. 3 at University Theatre
The University Theatre opens its 2025-26 season with “Silent Sky,” playing one weekend only – Oct. 3-5. Lauren Gunderson’s play tells the story of astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt, whose research led to a shift in understanding the universe, most notably that the Milky Way was not at the center of it.
Tue, 08/26/2025
KU Department of Theatre & Dance celebrates scholarship recipients
Jayhawks studying theatre and dance at KU are able to practice their craft and be more fully engaged as students through the financial support of scholarships. The Department of Theatre & Dance awarded approximately $215,000 in scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year.
Thu, 08/14/2025
KU Theatre & Dance unveils 2025-26 season
The University of Kansas Theatre & Dance 2025-26 season features poignant plays, a musical full of surprises and dance that enlivens the spirit and illustrates endurance.
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...