Theater Studies
Shaina, you have been amazing -- as a student and as a Hoof 'n' Horn ExCom secretary! You're always witty, enthusiastic, and intelligent. Congrats on becoming a Duke alum! Dan Ellison, Theater Studies
Happy graduation, Shaina! Your energy and tenacity have made so many places at Duke better than you found them. I cannot wait to see the ways you (re)shape the arts (especially the comedic arts) in the future. Jules Odendahl-James, Theater Studies
Shaina Lubliner
Shaina is a Theater Studies and Public Policy double major from Stamford, Connecticut. The performing arts have greatly shaped who she is today by developing her communication and collaboration skills—and fostering her imagination. She is a recipient of the Benenson Award (2020), Leadership in Arts Policy Award (2019), and Kevin Gray Musical Theater Award (2018). She is interested in the intersection between the arts and activism.
As a member of Hoof ‘n’ Horn, she performed in Sweeney Todd, Company, and Cabaret, produced In the Heights, and directed Chicago and Pippin. With the Department of Theater Studies, she performed in the mainstage Vinegar Tom. She’s also performed in Me Too Monologues and All of the Above (AOTA).
Shaina’s favorite memories at Duke include being a participant and leader on the Project Arts pre-orientation program, where she met the upperclassmen who encouraged her to pursue her Theater major. She had the best time writing an original show with her friends in the Duke in Chicago: Arts and Entrepreneurship program and taking classes at The Second City. Shaina is a co-founder of the Duke University Stand-Up Troupe (go DUST!), which recently had its first show over Zoom, and loved working at the Arts Annex and being involved with the Freeman Center.
She would like to thank all of her teachers for making the past four years so exciting and inspiring. Special shout-outs to Madeleine Lambert and Eric Oberstein for always believing in her and being the best mentors; Jeff Storer, for teaching her that the most important part of theater is creating a community; Erin West, for always being willing to give her extra help in costume design—and for being a wonderful listener and friend; Dan Ellison and Jules Odendahl-James for being constant supporters of her and Hoof ‘n’ Horn; and Hye Won Kim for her kindness and genuine interest in each of her students. Last, but not least, thanks to Professor Bradley Rodgers for all of the laughs and making her last semester at Duke so memorable. She also wants to acknowledge the other Theater majors and minors. “We did it!”
Shaina feels the arts at Duke are essential in order to give students the resources to explore and create without fear. “Duke is our sandbox to hone our craft, develop our tastes, and build relationships that will last a lifetime.”
Her theater education has taught her that nothing is more important than the people one is working with. The show will never fail if each person is inspired by the vision and empowered to contribute his or her part to making it great. Theater is a family, and Shaina credits the bonds she made while part of the Duke theater community as the reason these have been the best four years of her life.