Recent News

The Department of Theatre and Dance welcomed its largest overall freshman class this fall, according to available records. Sixty-eight first-year students have joined degree programs in Theatre, Dance, and Music Theatre this year, with first-year students making up over 40% of the total Theatre and Dance undergraduate student population.

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Kellen Hoxworth, PhD, on the publication of his new research article "Alice Childress's Troubling Method: Theatrical 'Truth' and the Cold War Politics of Rehearsing Racial Authenticity."

As we begin a new academic year, the Department of Theatre and Dance (THD) is pleased and excited to announce new area Directors, as well as the promotion of current staff. 2025-2026 also represents the department's first year under the leadership of new Chair Meredith Conti, PhD.  

Applications are currently being accepted for Second Generation Theatre’s new Apprentice Program. The program is described as a workforce development initiative designed to equip the next generation of theatre professionals with the real-world skills, mentorship, and experience needed to thrive in the industry.

Congratulations to Clinical Assistant Professor Jenna Zavrel. Her screendance Transmigration was accepted into four international film festivals this year, and was honored by several, for costume design and choreography.  

The Department of Theatre and Dance within the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo, is seeking a Technical Director to oversee and manage all 12+ workspaces within the department. These spaces are multi-purpose, used for classes, creative research, and productions, and are reconfigured throughout the day to accommodate various programming needs.

Lisa Gallagher is a Theatre Design/Technology student originally from Rockland, NY. As a rising senior, her time at University at Buffalo has allowed her to experiment in many different areas of design, including sound, lighting, scenic, and projection design. 

Founded in 1969, the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA) assists American theatre by supporting professional training of new artists, including those in university theatre programs. “The URTAs” has been its flagship program, bringing together hundreds of MFA candidates across all theatre disciplines—acting, arts leadership, design and technology, directing, and stage management—in a single, centralized recruiting event from its 45 member universities.

Danica ‘Dani’ Schofer (they/she/he) earned their MFA in Dance in spring 2025 at the University at Buffalo. Schofer’s MFA Thesis project employed devised creation tools to restructure collective perception of the spaces that surround us. While teaching Open Modern and Ballet classes for the Department of Theatre and Dance (THD), Dani integrated social justice liberation practices to develop a pedagogy around radical community care.

The Outstanding Senior Award honors one graduating senior from each department who has demonstrated exceptional diligence and promise during their time at the University at Buffalo. These students' efforts have distinguished them among their peers and set an inspiring example of academic and personal achievement. 

Theatre and Dance’s (THD) spring musical “The Pajama Game” continues through this weekend at UB Center for the Arts from May 2 - 4, 2025. For tickets: www.ubcfa.org 

Theatre and Dance’s (THD) spring musical “The Pajama Game” opens for a two-week run at UB Center for the Arts next Friday, April 25 – May 4, 2025. For tickets visit: www.ubcfa.org