UMTAD Newsletter: September 24, 2020

'FML: how Carson McCullers saved my life' (2018) Photo by Dan Norman
'FML: how Carson McCullers saved my life' (2018) Photo by Dan Norman

Welcome to the 2020-2021 Academic Year!

As we embark on what will be a very different experience than what any of us are used to, we remain committed to offering our students the richest experiences possible this academic year. We are excited by a number of new initiatives and innovative alternatives to a traditional production season while making a concerted effort to investigate and address the effects of systemic racism on our department.  

For more information about these efforts, view our updated 2020-21 season announcement.

Before you enter either of our UMTAD buildings, take a look at our Reopening Plan for Fall 2020. Our plan highlights procedures put in place to allow for social distancing inside our buildings. 

A reminder that our general inquiry emails are...
✔️theatre@umn.edu ✔️umdance@umn.edu
Reach out with any questions or concerns! We are here to support you in every way.

FRAMEWORKS 2020

Thank you to all who attended our virtual Frameworks event and post-event Zoom gathering! We reflected on UMTAD's past endeavors, this year's program offerings, and how we are responding to the current moment.

A big shoutout to the UMTAD student peers & representatives for hosting the event!

Missed Frameworks or want to watch it again? The event is available on our Vimeo page.

Community Highlights

Our Community Highlights section aims to share a taste of upcoming creative projects by students, alumni, faculty, and staff of the Theatre Arts & Dance Department. Current students, alumni, faculty, and staff are encouraged to share their projects by completing this form.

Rehearsal for Terry Longview (Greenway Glow Arts Festival). Photo by Regina Marie Williams.

  • Andrea Reynolds (Executive and Administrative Office Specialist) Composer for Flip the Script: The Great Divide IV at the Pillsbury House Theater (Minneapolis) Sept. 25-Dec. 1. Podcast series.
  • Berit Ahlgren (Former Instructor, Dance) Creator & performer in Give Ear at The Cowles Center (Minneapolis) March 19-20 at 7:30pm. In-Person & Virtual.
  • Darrius Strong (Teaching Specialist, Dance) Creator & performer in H Y B R I D at The Cowles Center (Minneapolis) March 5-6 at 7:30pm. In-Person & Virtual.
  • Kym Longhi (Senior Teaching Specialist, Theatre) Director & producer of Mississippi Moons Shines Light on Selma 65, a a streamed duet of solo performances combining Missing Mississippi Moons by Antonio Duke (BFA Acting '17) and Selma 65 by Catherine Filloux. Production by The Combustible Company and Vegas Theatre. Oct. 24-31. Virtual.
  • Natalee Merola (BA Theatre Arts '21) Voice Actor in Food People. Pilot episode available December 2020 online.
  • Penelope Freeh (Instructor, Dance) Creator & performer in Bring it Down Under Your Feet at The Cowles Center (Minneapolis) March 12-13 at 7:30pm. In-Person & Virtual.
  • Robert McGrady & Wesley Hortenbach (BA Theatre Arts '20) Creators & performers of Terry Longview at the Greenway Glow Arts Festival (Minneapolis) Sept. 26 at 3:45pm & 7pm at 2601 28th Ave S, and 5pm under the Greenway Park Ave. bridge. In-Person, outdoors, & free.
    Performing alongside Emily Rosenberg (BA Theatre '20), Hannah Leatherbarrow, Katelyn McClane (BA Theatre '21), and Killian Coffinet-Crean (BA Theatre '22).
  • UMTAD Student Peers & Reps have created The Peercast available on streaming platforms. New episodes every Tuesday. Podcast series.

COVID Corner

You can now view UMTAD's Fall 2020 COVID-19 Plan at z.umn.edu/UMTADCovidPlan. Our reopening plan highlights procedures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and allow for social distancing inside our buildings. 

For more on University of Minnesota's response to COVID-19, visit z.umn.edu/FallCovidPlan.

University of Minnesota Safe Campus
Please visit the Safe Campus website for University-wide news, resources for teaching and learning via alternative instruction, and archives of University system-wide messages.

College of Liberal Arts Neighborhood
Please visit the CLA Neighborhood for CLA-specific updates, info on the CLA COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee, and archives of messages from Dean Coleman and the College of Liberal Arts.

COVID-19 Creative Resources

It is our priority to continue to assist students and community members throughout the COVID-19 pandemic by providing opportunities to access and engage with the arts, and resources that are unique to those in the creative sector. Check out our compiled list of creative resources.

Have an idea for a submission? Email theatre@umn.edu.

If you are interested in receiving this newsletter via email, please sign up for our E-Newsletter here
Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff are encouraged to submit their creative pursuits here
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