School of Theatre and Dance

Rehearsal for "The Wiz."

IN A FLASH: ‘Ease on Down’ to See ‘The Wiz’

Student performers are working on final rehearsals for “The Wiz,” which opens on Feb. 21 and runs through March 2 at Kent State’s E. Turner Stump Theatre.  

Tags: Arts & Culture, School of Theatre and Dance, Community Impact

Kent State Today

Kat Thomas Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Kat Thomas

Meet Kat Thomas!

“I’ve been doing my craft since middle school. I didn’t realize until my senior year that I wanted to do this forever. I thought I was going to art school, but Kent State paved the way for something I loved even more!"

Tags: School of Theatre and Dance, College of the Arts

College of the Arts

Trial By Fire

‘Sacrifice is a Silent Decision That Makes the Loudest Impact’

In getting into the role of the lead character in "Trial By Fire," a play about banned books and activism, a Kent State student keenly feels the connections between the themes in the play and the university’s history of activism. 

Tags: School of Theatre and Dance, May 4, Arts & Culture, Nationally Distinctive, College of the Arts

Kent State Today

The Wiz

The School of Theatre and Dance Presents “The Wiz," Feb. 21-March 2

Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance continues its 2024-2025 season with “The Wiz” running February 21 through March 2 in E. Turner Stump Theatre, located in the Center for Performing Arts.

Tags: School of Theatre and Dance, musical theatre

School of Theatre and Dance

Students participating in a study abroad in Thailand

A Decade of Dance: Honoring the East Meets West Program in Thailand

Dance students recently had the unique opportunity to travel to Thailand as part of the East Meets West study abroad program. This artistic collaboration engages diverse educational experiences and turns students into global citizens for the 21st century. While in Thailand, students learn and perform with dancers across the world.

Tags: Study Abroad, School of Theatre and Dance, College of the Arts

School of Theatre and Dance

The cast of “Trial by Fire” rehearses at Kent State University’s Center for the Performing Arts while director Courtney Brown (far right) watches. (Photo credit: Rami Daud)

Kent State Kicks Off 55th Commemoration of May 4 With Play on Student Activism and Book Bans

This year, Kent State University will hold the 55th commemoration honoring the memory of May 4, 1970, a tragic day when the Ohio National Guard fired on Kent State students during an anti-war protest on campus, killing four students, wounding nine others and sparking a turning point in American history. Kicking off the program for the annual May 4 Commemoration is a play that focuses on student activism and book bans.

Tags: University News, Nationally Distinctive, May 4, May 4 Commemoration, School of Theatre and Dance

School of Theatre and Dance

"Trial By Fire" rehearsal

‘Trial by Fire’ Play Is First in 2025 May 4 Event Schedule

“Trial by Fire” is coming to Kent State in February. The play, written by Kent State alumnus and staff member Eric Mansfield, and inspired by a true story, is about banned books and a Kent State graduate who presented them to her high school class and how her students rose to activism to defend her. The performances are part of this year’s 55th May 4 Commemoration schedule, presented by the May 4 Education Committee. 

Tags: May 4 Commemoration, School of Theatre and Dance, Nationally Distinctive, Arts & Culture, Featured Story

Kent State Today

The Crucible - Fall 2024

IN A FLASH: A Rich and Spectacular Performance Season

The Main Stage Season presented by Kent State University's School of Theatre and Dance is in the middle of a performance-packed season that includes "The Crucible," "Pride and Prejudice: The Musical," faculty dance concerts and "The Wiz."

Tags: Arts & Culture, School of Theatre and Dance, Community Impact

Kent State Today

"Belonging" Fall Faculty Concert

IN A FLASH: Expressions of Belonging

"Belonging" was the theme of the Fall Faculty Concert presented by Kent State University's School of Theatre and Dance in the E. Turner Stump Theatre.

Tags: Nationally Distinctive, Arts & Culture, faculty, School of Theatre and Dance, College of the Arts

Kent State Today