News
An Interview with Craig Johnson, Guest Director of The Incredible Fox Sisters
Theatre en pointe
When two young women train for a national fencing competition, they form a friendship that transcends their competitive natures.
Lamar University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present “Athena,” the first show of its 2023-24 season, Sept. 21-24, in the Studio Theatre. Read more
Lamar University’s Department of Theatre and Dance kicks off their 2023-24 season with “Athena,” written by Gracie Gardener, through Sept. 24. Read more
Lamar University’s Department of Theatre and Dance is preparing for its first show of the season, “Athena,” written by Gracie Gardner and directed by Lamar Assistant Professor Alan Brincks. Read more
‘Dance Unleashed’ set for April 28, 29
The Lamar University department of theatre and dance will present “Dance Unleashed,” April 28-29 in the University Theatre. Read more
An opportunity to see Lamar's dance students in action
Andy Coughlan from The Beaumont Enterprise previews the upcoming faculty dance concert Dance Unleashed. Read more
The power of dance is unleashed at Lamar faculty show
Lamar University dance professor Travis Prokop and student Cole Hinson understand the pain and anxiety of coming out of the closet in Southeast Texas. It is the theme of the piece Prokop choreographed for this year's "Dance Unleashed" - a spring faculty show that highlights the talents of teachers within the university's Theatre and Dance Department. Read more
Choreographer's Note with Kiera Amison
It’s a busy time of year in the LU Department of Theatre & Dance as we gear up for final exams and our final production of the season, The Faculty Dance Concert: Dance Unleashed (April 28-29). Amidst all the excitement, we took a moment to sit down with guest choreographer Kiera Amison, Artistic Director of Muscle Memory Dance Theatre, and ask her a few questions. Read more
Fighting for 'Herstory'
A playwright, an assassin, a free woman of color, and an ex-monarch. What do these four have in common? They are all experiencing oppression during the French Revolution. Read more
The Revolutionists by On Campus from KVLU Public Radio
This episode features two theater students who discuss their characters in the upcoming play, The Revolutionist. Visit KVLU.org for more Listen here
LUTV News "InFocus" - The Revolutionists
On this episode of LUTV News "InFocus," news anchor Akira Mouton speaks with actor Dominique Roman about the theatre play “The Revolutionists” presented by Lamar University Department of Theatre and Dance. Watch here
“The Revolutionists” is a play. It is about a playwright. Who is writing a play? The action takes place during the real events of the French Revolution. The characters are real. Well, the actors are playing real people — who may or may not be imagined. Read more
Lamar University Department of Theatre and Dance presents The Revolutionists
The LU Department of Theatre & Dance is pleased to announce the second production of the semester, "The Revolutionists" written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Guest Artist Laura Moreno. Read more
A director's note with Laura Moreno for The Revolutionists
Here in the Department of Theatre & Dance at Lamar University, we believe in the importance of students getting perspectives from professional guest artists outside the department. We recently had a chance to catch up with Laura Moreno, Guest Director for The Revolutionists (Performances April 13-16) and ask her a few questions. Read more
Lights, camera, action: The Heidi Chronicles preapres to take the stage
The LU Department of Theatre & Dance is pleased to announce the first production of the semester, “The Heidi Chronicles”, written by Wendy Wasserstein and directed by Assistant Professor Alan Brincks. “The Heidi Chronicles” will take the stage starting this week. Read more
Department of Theatre & Dance presents spring '23 season of performances
The Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance is pleased to announce their performances for this spring semester; “The Heidi Chronicles” by Wendy Wasserstein, “The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson and “Dance Unleashed” choreographed by LU dance faculty and guest artists. Read more
Choreographer's Note with Shani Diouf
Dance Unleashed 2022, the Department of Theatre & Dance’s annual spring faculty concert, consistently offers crowd favorites such as tap, jazz, contemporary, modern and often aerial silks. This year we are thrilled to bring something new to the stage and by one of our own. Shani Diouf, an LUTD alumna and Fulbright Fellow, has been working with our students to bring the traditions of West African dance and drumming to life. We were able to speak with Shani about the work, the traditions, and her experiences post-graduation. Read more
A director's note with Alan Brincks for SPLIT
Wake up! Spring is right around the corner! Our second play this semester confronts us with the dreams of six individual characters in SPLIT. Instructor of Theatre and Director Alan Brincks gives us a glimpse of what to expect from this play. Read more
A director's note with Joel Grothe
New Year, New View! Spring 2022 has us traveling to the Isle of Wight in our first production of the semester, Whale Music. Associate professor and director, Joel Grothe, has joined us to grant an inside look into the play’s process and product. Read more
A choreographer's note with Micaela Moreno
“Fall & Recovery 2021,” the Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance’s annual faculty concert, is packed with a variety of genres as well as audience favorites including ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, and aerial silks but this year we are proud to offer something new for our audience. Micaela Moreno, director of SETX Folklorico, has joined us as a special guest choreographer and has taken on the challenge of sharing not only the style and technique but the culture and traditions of Ballet Folklorico with our students. Read More
A director's note with Edward Morgan
The Lamar University Department of Theatre and Dance is thrilled to bring the world premiere of “So You Can Look Ahead” to the Cardinal stage. Written and directed by internationally recognized guest artist, Edward Morgan, “So You Can Look Ahead” has had readings in London, Berlin, Baltimore and New York City and has received multiple awards including Semi-Finalist, National Playwrights Conference, Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, CT (2019), Winner, HRC Showcase Theatre's W Keith Hendrick Playwriting Contest, 2017, Semi-Finalist, Blue Ink Playwriting Contest 2018, American Blues Theatre, Chicago, and Semi-Finalist, The Road Theatre Playwright's Festival 2017, Hollywood, CA.
Who better to help us understand the story and process than the writer, director himself? We are honored to speak with Edward and get an inside look into the process for “So You Can Look Ahead.” Read More
Department of Theatre and Dance presents world premiere of So You Can Look Ahead
The Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to present the world premiere of “So You Can Look Ahead” on Nov. 4-7 in the Studio Theatre located on the campus of Lamar University. “So You Can Look Ahead,” the second performance of the semester, is written and directed by guest artist Edward Morgan.
“So You Can Look Ahead” is set in New York City, 1932. A time of social upheaval and anti-immigrant fervor. A young couple's marriage is thrown into turmoil over a pregnant immigrant girl, a prestigious job and the powerful eugenics movement. A little-known chapter of American history that resonates today. Read More
A director's note with Ashley Galan
The Lamar University Department of Theatre and Dance will present The Book Club Play, directed by student Ashley Galan. In this first production of the Fall 2021 semester, loads of laughter and literature collide in this smart hit comedy about books and the people who love them. Director Ashley Galan took time to share her thoughts on the process and what we can expect from The Book Club Play. Read More
Department of Theatre and Dance presents The Book Club Play
The LU Department of Theatre and Dance is pleased to announce their first production of the semester, The Book Club Play, written by Karen Zacarias and directed by LU student Ashley Galan. The Book Club Play will take the stage on September 30 through October 3, with showtime beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. All performances will be held in the University Theatre. Read More
Lamar University Summer Dance Intensive to be held online
Lamar University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will hold its annual Summer Dance Intensive via Facebook and Instagram this year. The intensive will be renamed “Lamar University Social Dis-Dancing Intensive” and will be held July 13-17. The online classes will be free and live streamed via Facebook and Instagram @lamarutheatredance from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Read More
Prokop to present Bedroom Monologues
Travis Prokop, assistant professor of dance at Lamar University, has been selected to showcase a work as part of “Bedroom Monologues,” a live virtual performance series created in response to COVID-19. “Bedroom Monologues: a hard place” may be viewed on Instagram Friday, April 17, at 7 p.m. (CDT) by following @jennykeimdance. This is a live, one-time-only performance. Read More
A director's note with Joel Grothe
The Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance presents Bakkhai. By awakening savage frenzy in the women of Thebes, Dionysus - the god of wine, ecstasy and fertility - lays bare the duality of our natures: that each of us, no matter how civilized, has a wild beast within. Originally written by Euripides, we were curious about director Joel Grothe’s adaptation and approach to what is considered a highly collaborative process. Read More
LUTD selects works to represent regionally in 2020
Each year the Department of Theatre & Dance travels to the American College Dance Association Regional Conference held at hosting higher education institutions across the region. The American College Dance Association exists to support and affirm dance in higher education through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals. The educational mission of the Association is to foster creative potential, to honor multiple approaches to scholarly and creative research and activity, to promote excellence in choreography and/or performance, and to give presence and value to diversity in dance. The Association acts as a national membership service organization to strengthen the educational network for students and faculty within the academic dance community. Read More
A director's note on Permanent Collection
The Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance is proud to present Thomas Gibbons’ Permanent Collection directed by graduating senior Caitlin Grammer. The second theatre production of the season walks a delicate line, not only in the scripts challenging and controversial subject matter, but the process of a young artist directing one’s peers through such a complex production. With the process in full speed, we are elated to have a moment to speak with the director one-on-one for a peek behind the proverbial curtain. Read More
Review: LU's 'Luna Gale" fills theatre with emotion
A play about a custody battle between a young mother and her own mother, and a social worker’s fight within the system may not seem like a fun way to spend a couple of hours. But Rebecca Gilman’s “Luna Gale,” as presented by Lamar University’s theatre department, is a thoughtful, amusing and inspired piece of art. The show is presented in the Studio Theatre through Oct. 6. READ REVIEW
A director's note on Luna Gale
The Department of Theatre & Dance welcomes Carolyn Johnson, an Equity actress, singer, director, and dialect/voice & acting coach, back to the Studio Theatre to direct our season opener – Luna Gale. Luna Gale is the third production she’s worked on for Lamar University, having previously directed The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time and Mauritius.
Carolyn earned the 2017 Houston Press Best Actress Award for her role as Caroline in Stages Repertory Theatre’s production of Luna Gale. We are honored to be able to speak with her on her process and the scope of this ‘complex’ production. Read More
Small life on big stage: Lamar professor uses microbial diseases in dress and dance
The Port Arthur News - Art is inspired by many things in life, including those too small to see with the naked eye.
Cherie Acosta of Lamar’s Department of Theatre and Dance helped bring the microscopic world of cellular diseases to vivid display through a combination of dress and dance. Read More
Students Dance Their Hearts Out at LU Summer Dance Intensive
The Lamar University Summer Dance Intensive (LUSDI), hosted by the Department of Theatre and Dance, gave area students opportunity to experience the life of a collegiate dancer while studying with well-known names in the professional and collegiate dance industries.
Travis Prokop, director of the two-week intensive said, “It’s important to have opportunities like LUSDI and other programs for dancers in the summer, which is predominately a dancer’s off time, so that they can continue to train and grow as artists. LUSDI is a chance to gain college level training, in a multi- faceted curriculum.” Read More.
LU Dance hosts summer camp
The Department of Theatre and Dance is hosting the Lamar University Summer Dance Intensive (LUSDI) July 10-21, 2017 at the Health and Human Performance Complex.
The Intensive is designed to provide area students with two weeks of elite level training, culminating in a professional dance concert. The camp is broken up into a senior division, 8th grade and above, to include adults, and a junior division for grades 3-7. A one-week option is also available.
“It is very intense,” LUSDI director Travis Prokop said. “More classes have been added from last year, as well as a professionally produced show at the end.”
Among styles taught by LU faculty, all former professional dancers, will be hip-hop, aerial, ballet, and tap.
LU dance honored at ACDA conference
Two of LU's faculty and students were selected for a highly competitive honor at the American College Dance Association's South-Central regional conference held at Collin College in Plano, March 2-6, 2017. At the conference, dance departments from Texas and New Mexico presented works choreographed by faculty and students, as well as guest artists. Forty works were adjudicated by a panel of judges, and 12 were selected to be performed at the conference's gala concert.
Among the selected works were Red Velvet is Just Chocolate, choreographed by Assistant Professor Travis Prokop and Picture [not so] Perfect. by dance major Katelyn Kirk.
Rebekah Gonzales displayed her work now Yours on the Grand Informal Concert.
Lamar University has been selected to host the 2018 ACDA South-Central conference in spring of 2018.
LU students explore Taiwanese culture on study abroad trip
The six students were in Taiwan from March 18 to April 2, to study dance at the Tainan University of Technology.
“We are friends with people at TUT,” Kim Ramsey, Katy junior, said. “We had about 16 students and four faculty come (to Lamar) last year for about two weeks.”
Golden Wright, chair of the department of theatre and dance, said that the idea for hosting the TUT students came from the director of global studies and study abroad.
Department of Theatre and Dance perform Pinter plays Feb. 9-12
The Department of Theatre and Dance will perform two one-act plays from different periods of the career of Nobel prize-winning British dramatist Harold Pinter, Feb. 9-12, 2017, in the Studio Theatre.
In The Dumb Waiter, written in 1957, two hitmen, Gus and Ben, anxiously await their next assignment in a nondescript basement room. "The Dumb Waiter might be considered the best of Harold Pinter's early plays. . . . It combines the classic characteristics of early Pinter - a paucity of information and an atmosphere of menace, working-class small-talk in a claustrophobic setting - with an oblique but palpable political edge and, in so doing, can be seen as containing the germ of Pinter's entire dramatic oeuvre," wrote Harry Derbyshire in Modern Drama.
A Kind of Alaska, written in 1982, tells the story of Deborah, who suffered from encephalitis lethargica, or "sleepy sickness," and has been in a comatose state for 30 years. With the mind of 16-year old, she must confront a body that has aged without her consent. The play was inspired by the book Awakenings by Oliver Sacks, which documented the encephalitis epidemic that plagued Europe in the early 20th century before L-DOPA was invented. Read more.
Houston Chronicle names Joel Grothe's "Thomas Cromwell" one of year's best theatrical performances
Joel Grothe, assistant professor of acting, received rave reviews as Thomas Cromwell in Hilary Mantel’s "Wolf Hall" and "Bring Up the Bodies." Both shows ran through Dec. 18 at Houston's Main Street Theater. On December 25, the Houston Chronicle listed the performance as one of the seven best of the year, stating, "It takes an actor of unusual stamina and dedication to star in a six-hour play. Grothe anchored Hilary Mantel's lush drama about royal intrigue with a steady yet kinetic presence."
Grothe brings this dedication to the classroom and hopes that his performance will inspire his students: “I hope they see what I do and realize they can do the same thing,” he said. “Students often want to finish a task as quickly as possible. They think they learn their lines and the character is done. It’s not done. It’s never done. I want them to work harder, be obsessive, be tenacious, and not settle for adequacy by doing the minimum. I hope they learn to be present and have a good attitude — to have values.”
Dancers in the air at LU fall dance concert
The Department of Theatre and Dance will present its fall dance concert, “Fall and Recovery,” Nov. 18 - 20, 2016, in the University Theatre. The evening of dance works performed by LU students encompasses many genres, including tap, jazz, musical theatre, modern, contemporary, and aerial silks, and is choreographed by dance faculty and select students.
"We are excited to present this show to the public because our students have been working hard to build up a reputable concert that not only they are proud of but that the community of Beaumont and Lamar University can be proud of also,” said Travis Prokop, assistant professor of dance. “The faculty and students continue to push the boundaries of conventional dance theatre by dancing in the air, and the use of unconventional lighting and scenic design.” Read more.
LU presents comedic farce ‘Boeing Boeing’
Lamar University’s Department of Theatre & Dance will present the Tony Award-winning comedy “Boeing Boeing,” by Marc Camoletti, translated and adapted by Beverly Cross, Nov. 3 to Nov. 6, 2016 in the University Theatre. The 1960s French farce tells the story of Bernard, a self-styled Parisian lothario, who is simultaneously engaged to three different airline hostesses. His master plan backfires when all three wind up at his apartment on the same day.
“We’re excited to produce this play and think the public will really respond to it,” said Brian LeTraunik, assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director. “We’ve never done an out and out farce before. In many ways, comedy is more challenging than drama - more technical and precise. I thought it would be a good challenge for our students and that our audiences would be very entertained.” Read more.
