Department of Theatre & Dance - School of Arts & Sciences

The Department of Theatre and Dance provides a unique liberal arts experience where students thrive by engaging across difference and critically investigating the world through creative processes. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. These values are central to the Department’s curriculum, scholarship, teaching, artmaking practices and programming.

Feature Stories

A Dress of One's OwnWhen Sarah Wang, ’18, walked at commencement, she wore a one-of-a-kind dress she designed for herself through and independent study with Heather Hogg, director of costume and makeup in the theater and dance department.

Senior Choreography Presentation

Senior choreographers Julia Marcellino, Briana Williams, Julia Oates, Cristina Peters, along with Natalie Alessio (not pictured) presented their original choreography in a showcase on April 25.

2018 A&S Faculty Mentor Award Winners

This year, two faculty were honored for outstanding mentorship.

2018 Student Symposium Awards

Awards were presented for the best paper and art project presented at the 2018 Student Symposium

Four University of Richmond faculty awarded positions in the Institute on Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts

A group of four University of Richmond faculty, including the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Patrice Rankin, have been accepted into the Council of Independent College’s Institute on Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts.

A grade, then a giftTheatre professor Johann Stegmeir and his Intro to Costume Design students stitched teddy bears for patients at VCU Children's Hospital.

University of Richmond hosts internationally renowned scholars, business leaders and artists to interact with students this spring

Each year, the University of Richmond hosts a number of artists, executives and leaders, as well as visiting scholars, to enhance the campus’ environment of both intellectual and personal engagement.

Documenting a Historic Black High School

After conducting archival research and interviews, UR students wrote and performed a documentary drama about the history of Armstrong High School.

Lexie Reimer, '14

Alumna with a love of dance earns doctorate in physical therapy from VCU

Beyond party lines: UR festival explores the intersection between the personal and the political

University of Richmond’s Tucker-Boatwright Festival of Literature and the Arts, presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance, offers performances, lectures, artist residencies and master classes that encourage visitors to examine the ways in which the personal and the political are intertwined.

Niomi Kaiser, '18

Senior spends the summer interning with Playwrights' Center.

Matt DiCintio, '00When Matt DiCintio, ’00, began researching early American tavern performances, he expected to find advertisements for short plays. Instead, he found a strongwoman. And then a lion. Similar characters and animals kept appearing. That’s when DiCintio, a history buff with “a taste for the bizarre and offbeat,” knew he’d found the subject of his doctoral dissertation. Read More

Writing From the Body: Words and Movement

In Cheryl Pallant’s class, students find the connection between their bodies and their brains

University Dancers Perform at ACDA ConferenceUniversity Dancers recently returned from attending the American College Dance Association Mid-Atlantic conference in Charlotte, NC. UR presented "Regard de Femmes," choreographed by Alexandra Damiani, and Kylie McCormick’s senior thesis capstone dance piece, "Arrow of Time," in a concert adjudicated by nationally recognized dance professionals. "Regard de Femmes" was selected to be performed in the prestigious conference-culminating gala concert.

Gordon Schmidt

Alana Wiljanen, '17Already familiar with being on stage, Alana Wiljanen, '17, worked back-of-house during a summer apprencticeship with Firehouse Theatre in Richmond. Read More

University Dancers: Converge

Faculty Highlights

Feldman Translation Performed
LALIS professor Sharon Feldman’s English translation of Liberto, an award-winning Catalan play by Gemma Brió, was given a professional staged reading in the performance space of the Instituto Cervantes in New York City.
Herrera Named Distinguished Educator
Theatre professor Patricia Herrera was named a 2018 University of Richmond Distinguished Educator.
Diaz Choreography Featured
Dance professor Alicia Diaz's piece wise as serpents was performed by the University Dancers as part of the American College Dance Association Gala at VCU.
Diaz Article
Professor Alicia Diaz was interviewed by Puerto Rican dance writer Susan Homar, who published an article/interview discussing her work in the Puerto Rican online publication "80 Grados."
Stegmeir Designs Opera Costumes
Theatre professor Johann Stegmeir designed costumes for a new opera production of Cinderella, written by 12 year-old musical prodigy Alma Deutscher. The opera is being presented in San Jose, California by the Packard Humanities Institute.
Reynoso Award
Theatre professor Josafath Reynoso won the Gold Award for Emerging Designer at the 2017 World Stage Design exhibition in Taipei. Reynoso won the award for his design of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Triad Stage in North Carolina.
Documenting a Changing Neighborhood
Dr. Laura Browder and Dr. Patricia Herrera had their SSIR course featured on Virginia Currents. Their course, Documenting a Changing Neighborhood, allowed students to engage with the Richmond neighborhood of Church Hill to explore issues of gentrification.
Stegmeir works on PBS Drama
Theatre department chair Johann Stegmeir served as associate costume designer on the PBS drama Mercy Street, which was just renewed for a second season.
Diaz and Thornton perform in New York
Dance professors Alicia Diaz and Matthew Thornton performed at the Pregones Theater in New York City with their dance company Agua Dulce Dance Theater. Diaz was interviewed by Culturebot about Deep Listenings, a piece that explores her Puerto Rican heritage.
New Play Premieres
REMNANTS, co-written and co-directed by Dr. Patricia Herrera, recently premiered as part of the Theatre and Dance department's mainstage season. Style Weekly previewed the show.

Upcoming Events

Mar
23
Ngoma African Dance, NYAME NTI: By God's Grace
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Come see University of Richmond students dancing a variation of African dance styles to live African drumming! Join us... Continue reading
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Apr
18
Caroline, or Change
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
By Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.... Continue reading
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Apr
19
Caroline, or Change
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
By Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.... Continue reading
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Apr
20
Caroline, or Change
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
By Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.... Continue reading
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Apr
21
Caroline, or Change
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
By Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori.... Continue reading
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Videos

University Dancers: Converge

Spring 2018 dance show

University Dancers: Nexus

Spring 2017 dance highlights

Caroline Weber, '17: "Urban Dreams"

Caroline's dance piece "Urban Dreams" will be featured at the University Dancers Annual Spring Concert "Nexus" (Feb 2017)

Kylie McCormick, '17: "Arrow of Time"

Kylie's dance piece "Arrow of Time" will be featured at the University Dancers Annual Spring Concert "Nexus" (Feb 2017)

30-second clips of Momentum

Behind the Scenes of "Momentum", Modlin Center for the Arts

Behind the scenes with the University Dancers in preparation for their spring dance show "Momentum". Show was directed by Anne Van Gelder. (Spring 2016)

Behind the Scenes, Jordan Matter, R'91

Behind the scenes with 1991 alumnus Jordan Matter as he shoots the cover and other photos for the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of University of Richmond Magazine (magazine.richmond.edu).

Behind the Scenes of "Intimate Apparel", Modlin Center for the Arts

Behind the Scenes of "Intimate Apparel", a Modlin Center for the Arts theatre production. Show will be November 19-22, 2015.

University Dancers- Highlights from @30

University Dancers 2014 Spring Concert

Remnants

Students prepare for an evening performance of “Remnants” - an original hip-hop musical co-written by Patricia Herrera, assistant professor of theatre, and José Joaquín Garcia - with yoga, vocal warm-ups, dance practice, costume checks, and more. (Spring 2015)

The Art of Movement

Assistant professor of dance Matthew Thornton shares how his professional affiliation with Agua Dulce Dance Theater informs his teaching at the University of Richmond. (2013)