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 in new comedy

"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.

Fri, 05/31/2024

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 Theater 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 Theatre, School of Music Co-Present 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 the community Stephen Sondheim’s brilliant melodies with the help of KU Opera and Symphony Orchestra. Sweeney Todd is a co-production...

Thu, 11/16/2023

Milking Christmas, A New Musical Goes Full-Tilt “Merry”

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.

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. ...

Wed, 09/27/2023

KU Theatre Opens Its Season with Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties

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 performed in...

Mon, 08/07/2023

KU Theatre & Dance announces 2023-24 performances

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance has unveiled its 2023-24 performance season, which engages talent within the University Theatre, University Dance Company, School of Music and Department of English, among others. Guest artists from professional theatre and dance companies will also contribute to the season’s...

Tue, 06/20/2023

KU Department of Theatre & Dance announces its 2023 award and scholarship recipients

LAWRENCE — 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, 04/06/2023

Cabaret Examines Themes as Relevant as Ever, Opens April 20 at KU Theatre

The University Theatre’s season finale opens with a big, inviting party. That’s one reason why Act 1 of Cabaret is so adored and a reason the musical’s ending hits so hard, said Markus Potter, director and assistant professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance. “It’s fun, until it’s not.”...

Mon, 03/20/2023

KU theatre design student earns spot at national Kennedy Center festival

Thu, 02/02/2023

Love and Information, a Kaleidoscope of Quick Encounters, Searches for Meaning in Collaborative Production

Audiences to the University Theatre’s spring season opener will witness a unique performance from within the Department of Theatre & Dance with a script that’s been transformed by students. ...

Wed, 11/23/2022

Everybody Opens Dec. 2, Promises Audience Participation, Dark Comedy

A play opening soon at the University of Kansas explores a topic that’s become ever-more relevant in recent years: death. Everybody, a production of the University Theatre within the Department of Theatre & Dance, offers opportunity for community members to mourn, laugh at, and reflect on the show’s absurdity and...

Thu, 11/03/2022

University Dance Company announces performances for fall concert

LAWRENCE — The University Dance Company Fall Concert will explore love, community and self-discovery through professionally choreographed works in ballet, hip hop and contemporary dance at the University of Kansas later this month. ...

Mon, 10/10/2022

The Labyrinth of Desire, a Cloak-and-Dagger Rom-Com, Plays at KU Theatre

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 a clever...

Tue, 09/20/2022

KU Theatre & Dance 2022-23 Season Unveiled

The Department of Theatre & Dance at the University of Kansas announces its 2022-23 season, which offers lightness, love, and plenty of action. This year, the University Theatre and University Dance Company, the two production wings inside of the Department, are preparing for five in-person productions. ...

Tue, 07/05/2022