News & Updates

March 23, 2016 - 3:03PM

invoke String Quartet and Joseph C. Phillips, Jr.

invoke String Quartet and Joseph C. Phillips, Jr., a past commissioned alumnus

As The Clarice is dedicated to educating and presenting the generation of artists and creative innovators, the NextNOW Fest Alumni Commissioning Project supports the creation of new work from alumni of the UMD School of Music (SOM) and UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) to be performed at NextNOW Fest.

Deadline extended: Apply by Friday, May 27, 2016!

August 6, 2015 - 12:12PM

This blog post is by Omar Khan, senior communication major.

Photo courtesy of Cary Gillett

For the past 17 years Cary Gillett, Production Manager for the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and UMD alum, has brought her distinct expertise to the DC area stage and production managing scene. She has worked on a wide range of projects in the area, from being the Resident Stage Manager at the Round House Theatre to “A Salute to the 2015 Presidential Scholars” at the Kennedy Center. Recently, she took her expertise and knowledge into the wider arts world.

“The really exciting part is that this is a completely new endeavor for Eastern theatre. There are no stage management programs in China, but there is a need."

July 21, 2015 - 9:09AM
Megan Pagado

This blog post has been updated to include more performances.

Wrestling with the WIP

May 14, 2015 - 1:01PM

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Photo courtesy of Leigh Wilson Smiley

Leigh Smiley, director of the University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, wears many hats as a teacher, administrator and working professional. This spring, she worked as the vocal coach for Marley, a musical about the legendary musician and activist that opens May 13 at Center Stage in Baltimore.

“I feel extremely proud to work on this piece, because I think the message is right. I think the heart in the project and humility in the project is really what we need right now in this region and in the nation.”

May 13, 2015 - 11:11AM

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Part of the value of a performing arts degree is that it teaches important skills that are transferable to any career. As a sales engineer for Cisco one of the largest companies in internet working technology, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies alumnus Chris Martin (Ph.D. in Performance Studies ’10), draws on the interpersonal skills and work ethic that he developed through his training in the humanities to better serve customers.

Martin hasn’t completely abandoned theatre – quite the opposite. He said his position at Cisco has given him the financial freedom to continue pursuing the arts in other ways. “I’m able to do things like volunteer at a high school,” he said.

April 17, 2015 - 11:11AM
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

B-FLY BACKSTAGE

Clockwise from left: Caroline Clay, Paige Hernandez, Jjana Valentiner and Anu Yadav; Photos by Kris Funn
 

Three University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies alumnae – Paige Hernandez (BA Theatre Performance ’02), Anu Yadav (MFA Theatre Performance ’13) and Caroline Clay (MFA Theatre Performance ’13) will perform excerpts from their solo shows at B-FLY BACKSTAGE: Diverse Solo Shows for Women this Saturday, April 18 at Atlas Performing Arts Center.

“I think that putting our work out there and showing what we think…how we do what we do is really taking a stance for all women and girls to be able to show their mind as well.”

April 8, 2015 - 12:12PM

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Flying V Theatre

April 2, 2015 - 2:02PM
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Deb Sivigny

Deb Sivigny photo by Daniel Corey
 

UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies alumna Deb Sivigny (MFA Costume Design ’04) gave a gallery talk at the Luce Foundation Center for American Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on March 21. Her talk, part of the Luce Local Artists Series, highlighted the link between costume design and the fine arts.

“The simple act of putting together an outfit is a very deliberate task, just as putting together these collages is a very deliberate task on these jars.”

March 26, 2015 - 3:03PM
Megan Pagado

UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
Second Season Gives Theatre Students First-Hand Entrepreneural Theatre Experience

School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) wanted a special kind of experience — one that replicates the entrepreneurial lifestyle of professional performing artists and provides them with the challenges and joys of creating and staging their own production.

March 24, 2015 - 11:11AM
Megan Pagado

Collidescope

Collidescope photo by Stan Barouh
 

The UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) carries forward its groundbreaking use of art to trigger dialogue and understanding about today’s pressing societal topics.

Known for boldly tackling race and gender equity, sexual violence and other important issues, TDPS announces a 2015–2016 season that follows in the same tradition.

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