Theatre and Dance

Academic Programs

The Theatre Program offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Fine Arts. The BFA can be in either the design/technical area or in acting and candidates apply at the end of the sophomore year. No audition is required for admission into the B.A. program.

Both programs offer opportunities to develop skills in acting, costume design, directing, lighting design, management, scene design, technical production, theatre history, theory, and criticism.

Students are also offered a minor in Theatre.

Advanced theatre students at Tulane may earn the Master of Fine Arts in Design or Technical Production. Students are accepted into this three-year Graduate Program every other year.

 

Production

In an average academic year, Tulane University Theatre produces three to four mainstage productions directed by faculty or professional guest artists. With a commitment to select its seasons from all eras of theatre history, the faculty have recently presented productions of modern plays such as The Fifth of July, Hallowed Ground, The Death of Zukasky, Anton in Show Business, and Privates Eyes; and masterpieces and classics such as The Rivals, Enemy of the People, Comedy of Errors and The Hostage. The department's productions take place in the Albert Lupin Experimental Theater, a fully equipped flexible "black-box" theater, with large-scaled works produced at times in Tulane's Dixon Hall, a 1,000-seat proscenium theater.

From late May through mid-August, the program hosts the repertory season of The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, an Actor's Equity Company, with an intern program offering college students from around the country the opportunity to work and perform with seasoned professional actors, directors, and designers. The campus also hosts the Music Department's Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre in Dixon Hall, where large-scale popular musicals take place from June to August. The Patchwork Players Children's Theatre, housed in the university's Rogers Memorial Chapel, presents lively entertainment to New Orleans youngsters.

After Tulane

Tulane alumni enjoy careers in New York theater, regional theater, network television, feature films, and college and university theatres across the country. Some work for talent agencies, art councils, recreation programs, or creative dramatic programs. Others choose careers in related fields such as teaching, public relations, advertising, tourism, merchandising and fashion, or even in other professional areas such as law, business, medicine, or computer science.

 

 

FESTIVALS & AFFILIATIONS

• Shakespeare Festival at Tulane
• New Orleans Jazz Dance Festival
• Patchwork Players

Support the Department

Tulane's Department of Theatre and Dance offers several opportunities for parents, alums, and other stakeholders to invest in the future of the department. 

The Stephanie "Stevie" Dawson Memorial Fund and Award is for Excellence is Technical Theatre as exemplified by continuous dedication and service to the performing arts, while maintaining a positive and professional attitude in the face of challenging obstacles.  It epitomizes Stevie's love and dedication to theatre. This award is given at the department's annual spring picnic.

Just a reminder, we also have the Monroe Lippman Founders Award in Acting, and the John I. Sutherland, Jr. Memorial Fund that have accounts for which we make awards at our annual spring picnic. Donations are always welcome.

Donations of all sizes are welcome.  They help the department put on more productions each year, while increasing the quality of our productions.  You can mail donations to:
Tulane Department of Theatre & Dance
215 McWilliams Hall
New Orleans, LA 70118

The department is always accepting donations of used furniture, clothing, household goods, or other "props."  You can drop them off at McWilliams Hall, or contact us to make arrangements for us to pick up any items. 

For further information on how to support the department, contact Marty Sachs at msachs@tulane.edu.

 

The 2012-2013 season for the Department of Theatre and Dance

For more information about shows, ticket information, and contact information, please visit our Box Office page.

A Night of Chekhov One-Acts 
October 16-21 – Lupin Theater
Written by Anton Chekhov
Directed by Jessica Podewell
This evening of Chekhov’s one acts features two farcical pieces: The Proposal, about the courtship process and marriage, and The Bear, the story of an indebted widow, an angry landowner, and an argument about the nature of love.

The Lesson 
October 30-November 4 – Lab Theater
Written by Eugene Ionesco
Directed by Antony Sandoval
Ionesco’s absurdist comedy weaves a story about failed communication between a Professor and his Pupil only for it to tragically end and begin again.

Gogol’s Waltzes 
November 15-18 – Lupin Theater
Directed by Lev Shulman
Lev Shulman, Russian guest artist, directs this evening of dance is based on Nikolai Gogol’s Petersburg Tales. The performance is choreographed by students and faculty in the Newcomb Dance Program.

Yentl 
February 26-March 3 – Lupin Theater
Written by Leah Napolin
Directed by Dmitry Troyanovsky
In this retelling of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s classic story, Yentl, a brilliant young scholar, defies tradition by disguising herself as a man so she can continue her studies. Featuring contemporary music by Jill Sobule, this is both an uorthodox love story and parable for our time.

Above the Oaks 
April 4-7 – McWilliams 300
Choreography by the Newcomb Dance Program Faculty
Performed by the Newcomb Dance Company
The Newcomb Dance Company presents their spring dance concert in the intimate performance space of McWilliams Room 300, which is nestled above the oaks on Tulane’s Newcomb campus.

Almost, Maine 
April 16-21 – Lupin Theater
Written by John Cariani
Directed by Sara Valentine
Set in the small, mythic town of Almost, Maine, this romantic play is a series of 9 short vignettes exploring love and loss.