News

If you go see the Idina Menzel-starring new Broadway musical, Redwood, you’ll be witnessing the Broadway debut of a UMass Theater alum. Sean Sanford ’19, who holds a dual degree in theater and psychology from UMass Amherst, is the Associate Scenic Designer for the production, which began previews on Jan. 24 and officially opens Feb. 13.

At the UMass Amherst Department of Theater, the students in Theater 365 (Technical Direction) spent last semester planned and built a turntable for the Rand Theater stage. 

Jess Greenberg '12G is among 65 women in the lighting industry featured in a new volume of Women in Entertainment Lighting

Calypso Michelet '21G has landed a number of design jobs both home and far afield in her twin design areas of costuming and scenic design. We talked to her about how UMass Theater influenced her career path.

Yao Chen, assistant professor of costume design at UMASS Amherst, facilitated a remarkable connection between UMASS alumna Linnea Soderberg '17 and the prestigious Seven Ages, LTD theater company in Beijing, China in October, 2023.

Lighting Designer Jane Cox won for Best Lighting Design of a play for her work on playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Appropriate.

Is a name destiny?

It certainly seems so when you consider the work of The Anthropologists, a New York City-based theater company founded by UMass Theater alum Melissa (Fendell) Moschitto ‘03 in 2008.

When Boatwright learned that Theater alum Dawn Monique Williams was directing Twelfth Night for the company this summer (the show runs through Oct. 13), Boatwright didn’t let the fact that OSF isn’t currently offering internships stop her. She contacted Williams, who willingly made room for her on the team, and had what she calls “hands down one of the best experiences of my life” shadowing Williams as she worked. 

Fig Lefevre '17G is a trans non-binary scholar who first came to the Department of Theater at UMass Amherst as a graduate student in dramaturgy, and has now won a following among undergraduate students by teaching exciting new classes such as Sci Fi and Queer theatre.