What's Happening

Get the latest news and updates related to Theatre at Denison University.

2025

Eleni Papaleonardos teaching her class

Faculty

One semester, 30 plays

Eleni Papaleonardos teaches students the beauty of simple theatre.

Date: March 24, 2025

2024

Image of two puppets

Performances, Faculty

The Power of Story

Based on the book Cold Sassy Tree, Cheryl McFarren’s play Invincible Summer blends archival research, stories, and puppetry.

Date: October 16, 2024

2023

Faculty

Prof. Kirk Combe launches blog about culture

Professor Emeriti Kirk Combe shares his fun reflections on all kinds of culture in a blog titled “Rant Against the Regime.”

Date: February 27, 2023

2021

Faculty

Prof. Rebecca Turk honored by Ohio Art Education Asso.

The Ohio Art Education Association recognizes Prof. RebeccaTurk as the 2021 recipient of the Higher Education Division Award.

Date: October 27, 2021

2019

Prof. Cindi Turnbull

Faculty

Prof. Cindi Turnbull on 'Cowboy' Culture

'women ... are taking back their own power, and I think the cowboy is just a personification of strength,' says Professor Cindi Turnbull.

Date: October 2, 2019

Spotlights

mannequins with VR glasses

Theatre professor blends virtual reality, AI, and tradition

James Dennen and collaborator Christian Faur will debut 'Like Leaves. Like Carrots.' at the Wexner Center for the Arts.

Yaz Simpson ’23 performing slam poetry

HERE US showcases original performances by students of color

In its third stage production, HERE US continues to thrive, evolve, and carve out space for passionate performers.

The famous white linen suit Hal Holbrook wore in his one-man Mark Twain show is the centerpiece of a collection of memorabilia the Holbrook estate gifted the university in 2022.

Denison Magazine

It suits him

“When (Hal Holbrook was) getting ready to do the Mark Twain show, Hal told my dad, ‘I need a white suit.’”

Blue Grass Boys

The surprising history of Bluegrass music

Visiting professor Heather Grimm ’17 shares an intriguing history of Bluegrass music.

Pearls in the Wave rehearsal

The world premiere of ‘Pearls in the Wave’

‘Pearls in the Wave,’ a new play by Playwright-in-Residence Hongyi Tian ’13, tells the story of a struggling novelist and her nagging mother.

Hal Holbrook meeting a student

Denison Magazine

Farewell to Hal

Our distinguished alumnus died in January 2021. In 2012, he visited the campus where he met his life's mentor and came to know himself as a learner.

Theatre alumni

Denison Magazine

Ubiquitous Players

Theatre alumni find community and support during the pandemic.

Nick Bailey, Evan Hill and Marc Sloboda

Temporary Humans

Three Denisonians team up to create an animated series that’s been picked up by Will Arnett.

Denison students on the stage of 'BoJack Horseman'

How We Learn

Bringing BoJack to life

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to adapt award-winning animated series BoJack Horseman to the stage poses some creative challenges.

Sarah Wilson '20

Where We Go

Summer With Shakespeare

Learning Shakespeare in the land of the Bard of Stratford-on-Avon gave Sarah Wilson ’20 a frame a reference that adds meaning to majors.

Megan Lovely in a production of Sweeny Todd

How We Learn

Building Connections Through Art

Megan Lovely ’19 has built a one-of-a-kind education around her classes, internships, workshops, research and study abroad.

Brooke Stiles ’20

Where We Go

NYC Internship Yields New Connections

Summer internships open doors and possibilities for Denison University students

The Burpees at TEDx Columbus

How We Live

Improv Comedy with a Heart

Denison's Burpee's Seedy Theatrical Company uses a 24-hour marathon to raise funds for hurricane relief.

Students in the dance studio

How We Learn

A New Home for the Performing Arts

As budgets across the country cut corners on the arts, Denison goes all in.

Jeffrey Hatcher

Where We Go

Unplanned success

Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher '80 adapts a modern classic 'Confederacy of Dunces' for the stage.

What's Happening

Student News

A tribute to Denison’s past and present

Nora Cashman’s theatre senior project blends memory, archival discovery, and the enduring spirit of student artists across generations.

Performances

Breaking the glass ceiling: ‘9 to 5 the Musical’

Mishaps, chaos, and comedy are at the heart of this musical penned by Dolly Parton.

Faculty

One semester, 30 plays

Eleni Papaleonardos teaches students the beauty of simple theatre.

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