News

Classics Professor Contributes to New Opera

Lauren Ginsberg, an associate professor of classical studies and theater studies at Duke, contributed to a new opera that debuted in November 2021 in Vienna. The opera, by composer Michael Hersch with libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann, tells the story of Roman Emperor Nero’s second wife, Poppaea, and her complicated legacy.  Ginsberg was commissioned to write an accompanying essay about the history of Poppaea and about the different ways she has been depicted by historians and playwrights. She was also… read more »

Theater Studies Welcomes Audiences Back to Fill the Seats

The pandemic definitely had an impact on live performances, but it didn’t stop Duke University’s Department of Theater Studies from presenting its mainstage productions during lockdown. Last year the actors were masked, the audiences were virtual, and the shows went on. Fast forward to fall 2021, and the department has joined the growing list of theaters opening their doors and welcoming audiences back to the seats—masked, but in-person—to enjoy live performances. Ollie McCarthy, Ben… read more »

The Arts Advantage: A Balance Between Theater Studies and Computer Science

Spencer Rosen is majoring in Computer Science, with minors in Theater Studies and Creative Writing, and hopes to focus on data science and computer security after graduation. While at Duke, he’s been part of a data science team and has worked as a data-driven pricing consultant outside of school. We sat down with the senior to learn why he’s making a conscious effort to include theater in his studies. How did you get involved in Theater Studies at Duke? In high school, I didn’t take… read more »

Neal Bell Selects Five Overlooked or Underrated Horror Films to Haunt Your Sleep

This spooky season of Halloween, Neal Bell is happy to bring some frights into our lives. The Theater Studies professor doesn’t just like scary stories – he writes them as well. His play based on the “Golem” legend about a mythical clay creature will be performed as the Fall mainstage offering of the Theater Studies Department beginning Nov. 4 in Sheafer Theater. The play transports the creature from the Jewish ghettos of Prague in the 16th century to Post 9/11 New York. But Bell, author of “How to Write a Horror Movie,”… read more »

Why Does a Play Set in New York After 9/11 Feature a Mythical Creature of Clay?

Duke University’s Department of Theater Studies has joined the growing list of theaters opening their doors and welcoming audiences back to the seats for live performances. While the department was able to present its three mainstage productions during the pandemic, which was no small task, the actors performed to virtual audiences. But come November 4, theater enthusiasts return to Sheafer Theater to experience the fall mainstage Golem, masked but in-person. The play takes place in New York City… read more »

Brody Theater Renovations Shine a Light on Theater Studies

From left: Thom Quintas, Director of Theater; Rich Kless, Director of Theater Operations; Harold Brody, donor; and Darren Gobert, Chair of Theater Studies. All jewels need polishing from time to time to restore their sparkle, and Theater Studies’ gem, the Brody Theater, is no exception. When it was renamed in 2006 to honor Duke alumnus Harold J. Brody (B.A. Chemistry ’70), the East Campus theater had been the department’s main venue for 34 years. Today, it’s where Duke Players presents… read more »

Faculty News: Jeff Storer Shares How Manbites Dog Theater Has Stayed True to Its Mission

In 1987, Jeff Storer and Ed Hunt opened Manbites Dog Theater in Durham, NC. They wanted to use the theater to bring awareness to the Durham community about the different forms of theater and prove that live theater can be a powerful tool in opening people’s minds, eyes and hearts. They hoped they would survive for a couple of years. Thirty-four years later, they are still going strong. In this episode of Creativity In Motion, Jeff Storer shares with us some of the ways they have been able to stay true to their mission,… read more »

Faculty News: Alex Ferrone's New Book Examines Contemporary English Drama

Alex Ferrone's new book, Stage Business and the Neoliberal Theatre of London, was recently published and is available for purchase here.   About the book: This book examines contemporary English drama and its relation to the neoliberal consensus that has dominated British policy since 1979. The London stage has emerged as a key site in Britain’s reckoning with neoliberalism. On one hand, many playwrights have denounced the acquisitive values of unfettered global… read more »

Esther Kim Lee Faculty Sponsor for Ken Jeong During Commencement 2020

Theater Studies faculty member Esther Kim Lee was the faculty sponsor for actor Ken Jeong during Commencement 2020, and hooded him for his justly deserved honorary degree. He shared so many memories of his college career, including, "My second year, second semester, I took an Intro to Acting class, and it just changed my life. I never did theater in high school. I just was overcome with this passion and emotion to perform that has not been extinguished since." Listen to his entire speech. read more »

The Class of 2020 Remembers Duke

Senior year for Duke’s Class of 2020 did not go as expected. As they look toward their long-delayed, eagerly anticipated, in-person commencement ceremony on Sept. 26, members of the Class of 2020 share their memories of Duke and how they learned to cherish ordinary moments of connection and community. Katie Cassedy  Katie graduated in 2020 with an economics major and a minor in visual media studies.  She is currently a UK Agency Associate in LinkedIn’s Business Leadership… read more »

Benjamin Benne Discusses His Latest Work, "Fantasma"

Theater Studies has brought acclaimed playwright Benjamin Benne to campus as its Visiting Artist for fall 2021. His two-week residency begins with the early creative stages of his new play Fantasma, commissioned by the South Coast Repertory Theatre, and culminates with a New Works Lab stage reading on September 10 at 5:00pm in the Rubenstein Arts Center Gallery. He’s joined by his collaborator Cat Rodríguez, who serves the dual roles of dramaturg and director. Students will participate in a week-long workshop with… read more »

Tia Smith (Theater Studies '23) Steppenwolf Loft Teen Arts Project Winner

Tia Smith is among a group of young artists named winners of the Loft Teen Arts Project visual arts commission competition. These artists' original artworks will be displayed in The Loft—Steppenwolf’s first-ever dedicated education space that encompasses the entire fourth floor of the Liz and Eric Lefkofsky Arts and Education Center. Read more.  read more »

Torry Bend Presents "Dreaming" at La MaMa

Torry Bend is collaborating with playwright Howard Craft and director JaMeeka Holloway to present Dreaming at La MaMa, October 14-17, 2021.  Dreaming follows two men deeply affected by Winsor McCay’s comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland. In a world where comic book characters live side by side with real people, Malachi Washington works to free comics cast in prejudiced bodies while Winsor’s son, Bob McCay, seeks to revive the old comic strip. What follows is a… read more »

Casting Call for Voice Over Actors

Seeking a Native American voice actor to play George, a man stuck in a 2D body that is a racist depiction drawn by a white man. George seeks out Malachi Washington for help an artist who has dedicated his life to rescuing racist and stereotyped people and return them to their 3D human bodies.  Seeking a voice over actor of Asian descent to play Mr. Lee, a man stuck in a 2D body that is a racist depiction drawn by a white man. Mr. Lee is first hesitant to leave the body that has brought him fame and money as a comic… read more »

Theater Studies Welcomes Visiting Lecturer and Artist in Residence

The Department of Theater Studies welcomes Ryan Donovan, visiting lecturer in musical theater, and Juliana Kleist-Méndez, artist in residence, to the faculty for the 2021-2022 academic year. Donovan will teach several musical theater courses, and Kleist-Méndez will teach acting courses in addition to developing and presenting her performance work Fuller on February 3 through 5, 2022, in Sheafer Theater.   Visiting Lecturer in Musical Theater: Ryan Donovan… read more »