UMTAD Newsletter: April 13, 2020
Message from the Chair
Dear UMTAD Community,
I’d like to start by expressing my gratitude to our students and faculty for gracefully navigating the past few weeks, while simultaneously taking care of their families and making plans for the future. I am inspired by the tenacity and ingenuity demonstrated by our faculty, staff, and students in adapting to the challenges presented by this crisis.
Looking ahead to next school year, we are excited to share a sneak peek at our 2020/2021 production season. While it feels odd to be planning for the fall, with so many unknowns, we are committed to allowing these artistic teams as much time as possible for the design and creation process. Our season consists of public performances in dance and theatre; representing all five of our academic programs.
As a department, we have committed to the national Jubilee, a voluntary effort by theatres to celebrate and increase underrepresented identities. The theatre programs are collaborating in new and creative ways in season planning and sharing of artistic resources for next season, and moving forward. Learn more about the Theatre Arts season selection process. We look forward to sharing more information about our upcoming season, including audition and ticket information, as plans are solidified.
The Theatre Arts season selection committee is pleased to announce their two mainstage productions for the 2020/2021 season, ‘Men on Boats’ by Jaclyn Backhaus and ‘Hecuba’ by Marina Carr. These productions will be supplemented by a variety of creative collaborations and academic projects. Read the BA Theatre Arts season announcement.
The UMN/Guthrie BFA Acting program has scheduled their repertory for 2020/2021, which is structured by specific areas of study and correlated coursework. The fourth year senior mainstage production will be a newly commissioned work by Michael Punter, titled ‘Dear God’. Read the BFA Acting season announcement here.
The Dance program has a proud history of hosting a diverse range of artist residencies throughout the year. Planning is underway for the annual winter dance concert, which features choreographic works from Cowles Visiting Artists and Scholars. The Spring Dance Concert will be held in February of 2021 and will feature works by visiting artists and current students. Artists will be announced at a later date.
Please continue to read all communications from Dean Coleman and President Gabel as they will contain the most recent and accurate University policies and procedures. If you have questions about these emails or think you may not be receiving them please contact Amy Esposito.
Sincerely,
Mathew J. LeFebvre
Chair, Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Creative Outlets & Resources
It is our priority to continue to assist and inspire students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members by providing both opportunities to access/engage with the arts, and by providing resources that are unique to artists, or those in the creative sector. Students will continue with the remainder of their spring semester through alternative instruction; these opportunities are not created as a replacement for any education, and are supplemental in nature. View here or follow us on Facebook.
Have an idea for a submission? Email theatre@umn.edu.
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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.
