News – Department of Theatre

Theatre Student’s Drag Queen Web Series Uses Costume Design to Examine Current Events

March 2, 2021

When the Michigan State University Department of Theatre’s productions for the Fall 2020 semester were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a call went out to all faculty and students for ideas focused on themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion. First-year MFA Design Candidate Zech Saenz, who specializes in costume design, pitched a project addressing the pandemic through the lens of drag queens and comedy. The result is a three-episode web series, called Grads in Drag, which is now available for streaming on-demand.

Faculty / News / Performance / Podcast / Student

MSU Theatre Department Launches First-Ever Actor Warm-Up Podcast

February 25, 2021

In conjunction with Digital Learning Day on February 25, the Michigan State University Department of Theatre MFA Acting cohort will launch a six-season podcast, entitled “The Moment Before: An Actor’s…

Award / News / Student

Theatre MFA Design Students Take Home Top Honors in Costume Design

February 19, 2021

Michigan State University Department of Theatre MFA Design candidates, Grace Foiles and Zech Saenz, were awarded regional honors in the field of costume design from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). The competitions aim to assess and award exceptional theatre design work by students.

COVID-19 / Event / News / Performance / Student

MSU Theatre Freshmen Premiere Original Web Series Satire About College During COVID-19

February 9, 2021

The cast of Pandemic'd! rehearsing via Zoom The freshmen class of Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre have created a mockumentary-style web series satire about the experience of starting college during the COVID-19 pandemic. Freshman…

Alumni / News / Performance / Student

Theatre Design Alum Returns to Mentor Current Students

January 18, 2021

G. “Max” Maxin IV (MFA Design ’12) was scheduled to return to Michigan State University as a guest scenic designer for the Department of Theatre’s production of 9 to 5:…

News / Student

Passion for Theatre Leads to Degree in Acting

January 4, 2021

During her time at Michigan State University, Carly Wilson, who graduated last month with a BFA in Acting, had many experiences that furthered her skills and knowledge of the theatre.…

COVID-19 / Exhibition / Grant / News / Performance / Podcast / Student

CREATE! Micro-Grant Winner Makes Short Film About Impact of Social Isolation

December 18, 2020

Marshall Ross, a senior BFA Acting major, received CREATE! Micro-grant funding to support his SOLO* project, a short-film that follows the experience of a young man living on his own…

COVID-19 / Grant / News / Podcast / Student

CREATE! Micro-Grant Winners Record Podcast for Artists Adapting to Pandemic

December 18, 2020

Nate Davis, senior BFA in Acting major, and Jason Dernay, senior BFA in Acting and BA in Management double major, received CREATE! Micro-Grant funding to support their project, The Art…

COVID-19 / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Event / Faculty / News / Performance / Student

New MSU Musical For Audiences Who Are Neurodiverse to be Performed Virtually

December 15, 2020

Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre has produced a new sensory-friendly musical for children who are neurodiverse and will begin offering free virtual performances this month. Written by students and faculty at…

COVID-19 / Diversity, Equity and Inclusion / Exhibition / Faculty / Grant / News / Student

CREATE! Micro-Grant Virtual Exhibit Launches Displaying Winning Projects

December 10, 2020

The CREATE! Micro-Grant Program supported the launch of 12 student projects that analyze and respond to racial injustice and the struggles brought on by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These projects, ranging from interpretive dance and musical performances to traditional Anishinaabe quill work, videos, podcasts, personal essays, and poetry, can now be viewed online through the CREATE! Micro-Grant Virtual Exhibit.