KU Giving Magazine
Time and Place — Honoring 100 Years of KU Theatre & Dance
Max McElroy
ARTS IN ACTION: University Dance Company students conduct a tech stage rehearsal of “Voices.”
For a century, the Department of Theatre & Dance has been at the heart of KU’s artistic landscape, putting on more than 1,000 productions. From the stages of Lawrence to international venues spanning 11 countries, their productions have left a prominent mark on audiences worldwide. “KU is one of the oldest and most distinguished public university theatre programs in the country,” said Henry Bial, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. “We’ve come a long way since 1923–1924, when the department’s first plays were staged at the Bowersock Opera House (now Liberty Hall) and the old Lawrence High School building (now Liberty Memorial Central Middle School).”
ON STAGE: KU Theatre students perform “Metamorphoses” in the William Inge Memorial Theatre.
Looking ahead to the next 100 years, the department has launched the KU Theatre & Dance Centennial Production Fund, a bold initiative designed to ensure the program’s sustainability for generations to come. “Today, we are more aware than ever of the importance of live performance, but the economic effects of the past few years continue to ripple across the industry,” Bial said. “Gifts to this fund will allow the department to present challenging new plays, offer workshops with industry professionals, provide state-of-the-art equipment and enrich the creative experience.”
The KU Theatre & Dance Centennial Production Fund preserves the great legacy of the past and propels KU forward into the next 100 years. “This launch provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor the rich history of theatre at KU,” Bial said.
Carry on the Legacy
Give to the KU Theatre & Dance Centennial Production Fund to support the next century of productions.
