W&L Presents Shakespeare Adaptation “Hamlet 50/50”
The production runs from Nov. 19-21 in Johnson Theatre on the W&L campus.
Theater, Dance and Film
Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create…’
The W&L Repertory Dance Company’s performances will run Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.
‘A Night of Miigis Moments’ Brings Indigenous-Led Performance To W&L
The Oct. 8 event is presented by Red Sky Performance and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.
Indigenous Artist Sandra Laronde to Deliver Lenfest Center Series Keynote Address at W&L
An authentic Indigenous dinner will accompany Laronde’s talk on Oct. 7 and is part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.
Owen Collins Publishes Article in the Theatre Design & Technology Journal
The article “Organic Dance Designs” tells the story of the theatrical work of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin Fellowship.
In Case You Missed It
The Lenfest Center Presents an Evening of Poetry Reading with Rena Priest
Washington’s first indigenous State Poet Laureate will deliver a reading on Oct. 1 as part of the Lenfest Center’s Outreach & Engagement Series.
Compassion in Action
This summer, students working with associate professor of theater Stephanie Sandberg explored the practice of compassion through the eyes of documentarians.
W&L’s Lenfest Center for the Arts Presents 2024-25 Season, ‘Expand the Arts!’
Tickets for the entire season will be available to purchase beginning Sept. 9.
Flying High
Misha Lin ’25 is taking her dance education to the next level this summer with intensive aerial dance training, finishing with a two-week international festival in August.
‘W&L After Class’ Podcast Releases New Episode Featuring Jenefer Davies
In this month’s episode, professor Davies talks of creating and building W&L’s dance program to be a place where preconceived notions dissipate and the liberal arts education flourishes.
W&L’s Jemma Alix Levy to Direct Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’
The performances run June 19 through July 14 at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s outdoor stage.
All the World’s a Stage
A Washington Break trip to New York City opened students’ eyes to future possibilities in theater.
Jordan Peimer Selected as Next Lenfest Center Director
The former executive director of ArtPower at the University of California, San Diego will begin his new role in July.
W&L Presents ‘Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin’
Performances of the high school samurai tale run April 3-5.
This Year’s Bentley Production is Opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’
The iconic myth comes to life March 21-22 in Wilson Concert Hall.
W&L Repertory Dance Company Presents Winter Concert
The award-winning ensemble’s performances will run March 14-16.
Alumni and Students Connect Through Choreography
The W&L Repertory Dance Company’s alumni-student dance performance in New York City’s Center for Performance Research returned after a four-year hiatus.
Sarah Foster-Sproull to Complete Dance Residency at W&L
The New Zealand-based choreographer will teach a master class for the campus community on Jan. 30.
Sandberg to Present Nobel Prize Symposium Talk
Stephanie Sandberg, assistant professor of theater, will discuss this year’s Nobel Prize in literature on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 12:15 p.m.
Empathy & Compassion
In May, Mary Hipp ’90 said being a member of the second class of women undergraduates at W&L taught her a lot— although she didn’t realize it at the time.
Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create…’
The W&L Repertory Dance Company’s performances will run Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.
The Space to Be Brave
W&L’s recent staging of ‘Speech & Debate’ brought its cast, crew and audience an opportunity to engage with an innovative, collaborative approach to theater.
W&L Dance Professor Publishes New Book
Jenefer Davies authored “The Art of Dance Composition: Writing the Body,” an introduction to modern dance composition.
W&L Presents Thought-Provoking Play “Speech & Debate”
The production runs from Nov. 1-4 in Johnson Theatre on the W&L campus.
W&L to Host Free Screening of the Ghana Spring Term Films
The premiere event will be followed by a student-led discussion about their experiences and the creative journey in producing the films.
W&L’s Lenfest Center for the Arts Presents 2023-24 Season, Live the Arts!
Tickets for the entire season will be available to purchase beginning Sept. 11.
Live from Sweden
W&L students in this Spring Term’s “Swedish Theater” course were immersed in culture during their three weeks in Stockholm, Sweden.
In Memoriam: Al Gordon, Professor of Fine Arts Emeritus
Gordon taught at W&L from 1974 to 2001.
W&L’s Finn Connor ’23 Selected for Fulbright to Germany
Connor has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to teach English in Germany.
W&L Repertory Dance Company and Rockbridge Symphony Present Public Performance
The groups will honor Black composers with a series of performances March 30-April 1.
This Year’s Bentley Musical is ‘BEEHIVE – The 60s Musical’
The show runs from March 9-11 in Keller Theatre on the W&L Campus.
Meet Emily Moran ’23
Moran is inspired by W&L’s values and commitment to liberal arts education.
Kyle Bass is the Next Speaker in the Mudd Center’s CareLab Event Series
The playwright will host a screening of his play “Citizen James” and a playwriting workshop Feb. 14-15.
Meet Estrella Burks-Parra ’23
W&L’s distinctive summer programming helped Burks-Parra develop her personal and professional interests.
W&L Theater Presents ‘Treasure Island’
Ocean voyages, sword fights, treasure hunts, rivalry, friendships and pirates are on display in this show based on the familiar novel by Robert Louis Stevenson.
W&L Presents DeLaney Center’s Film Series
The first From Screen to Square event will take place on Monday, Nov. 7.
Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create…’
The W&L Repertory Dance Company will perform ‘W&L Dancers Create…’ on Nov. 3–5.
Author Malika Booker to Give Glasgow Endowment Reading at W&L
Booker will give a lecture on Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. in in Leyburn Library’s Northen Auditorium.
W&L’s Lenfest Center for the Arts Presents New Season
For the first time ever, tickets for the entire season are available online beginning Sept. 13.
W&L Outcomes: Leah Jackson ’22
Leah Jackson ’22 always knew she wanted to pursue the health field. Thanks to summer internships and dedication, she heads off to Harvard this fall to follow her passion.
W&L Presents ‘The Moors,’ Jen Silverman’s Twisted Take on Gothic Romance
The show will run for three nights: May 17-19. Tickets are required.
This Year’s Bentley Musical is ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’
The show runs from March 31-April 3 in Keller Theatre on the W&L campus.
W&L Repertory Dance Company and University Jazz Ensemble Present Public Performance
The groups will present a combined dance and music performance on March 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. on the W&L campus.
W&L Presents ‘Thumbelina’
“Thumbelina” will be presented at Keller Theatre in two performances on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are required.
W&L Presents Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
The all-male dance group will perform their delightful parodies of great ballet classics at the Lenfest Center for the Arts on Feb. 15.
W&L Presents “The Dramatic Circle”
Performances will occur Dec. 2-5 in the Keller Theatre on the W&L campus. Tickets are required.
Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create…’
The W&L Repertory Dance Company will perform ‘W&L Dancers Create…’ Nov. 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Lenfest Center Opens Ticket Sales for Upcoming Season
Tickets for the 2022 season can be purchased online using a credit card or in-person at the Lenfest Center box office beginning Nov. 30.
W&L Presents Puppetry Masterclass by Joshua Holden
Holden, an actor and puppeteer who hosts "The Joshua Show," will lead the masterclass on Nov. 8 at W&L.
W&L Presents Staged Reading of Award-winning Play
W&L presents a staged reading of Will Arbery’s “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” in the Johnson Theatre on the W&L campus on Oct. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m.
W&L’s Davies Receives National Dance Award
Professor Davies received the National Dance Education Organization 2021 Outstanding Dance Education Researcher Award.
W&L’s Stephanie Sandberg Named Community-Based Learning Senior Fellow
The Community-Based Learning Fellows Program intends to deepen the high-impact practice and pedagogy of community-based learning at W&L.
Aerial Dance Class to Present Spring Term Performance
The performances will take place live and online on May 20 and 21 at 2:30 p.m.
W&L’s Ramonah Gibson ’20 Awarded Fulbright
Ramonah Gibson '20 has received a Fulbright United Kingdom (U.K.) Partnership Award to complete her master's degree in creative writing scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia.
Faculty-Student Documentary Earns Festival Laurels
"Intimate Violence," a documentary about domestic violence by W&L professor Stephanie Sandberg and junior Nolan Zunk, has been recognized by three film festivals.
W&L Presents Unique Adaptation of the Play ‘BURN’
On April 9 and 10, W&L will stream its production of "BURN" featuring a large ensemble of talented student actors and directed by Jemma Levy, assistant professor of theater.
The Show Must Go On Camera
The cast and crew of W&L’s upcoming Bentley Musical, “Little Women,” tackled a host of pandemic-related challenges to produce a film version of the show that will be screened for audiences March 30-April 2.
W&L Hosts 15th National Symposium of Theater and Performance Arts in Academe
Highlights include live performances of works written from artists and scholars nationwide.
W&L’s Repertory Dance Company Presents ‘Dancing with the Camera’
The W&L Repertory Dance Company performance will stream for free online on March 25 and 26 at 7 p.m., March 27 at 6 p.m. and March 28 at 2 p.m.
New W&L Podcast Episode Features Lenfest Director Rob Mish
In the latest episode of the Lifelong Learning podcast, Mish talks about his passion for theater, how musicals can be reinvented to account for changing times, and his experiences connecting students and alumni.
This Year’s Bentley Musical is ‘Little Women: The Broadway Musical’
The university’s performance will be streamed online beginning March 30.
W&L Hosts Jocelyn Bioh for Two Streamed Events in March
Bioh's hit comedy "School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play" will be screened online March 16, and a virtual talk by Bioh will occur March 18.
W&L Graduate Returns to Teach Dance Master Class
Elliot Reza Emadian ’17 will teach a virtual master class in screendance, a form that merges cinematography and choreography.
W&L Hosts Free Screening of Documentary ‘Intimate Violence’
The screening will be free and open to the public to view online. A discussion with the film’s creators will follow the screening.
Washington and Lee Presents ‘W&L Dancers Create … 2020’
The award-winning W&L Repertory Dance Company will perform W&L Dancers Create … 2020 virtually on Nov. 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
World-Renowned Broadway and Television Actress Laura Benanti Streams for W&L
In October, Washington and Lee University will present Tony Award winner and five-time Tony Award nominee Laura Benanti in two streamed events.
Washington and Lee University Presents a Virtual Performance of ‘Tartuffe’
The performance will run Oct. 15-18, and it is free and open to the public to watch via livestream.
Annual Artist Series Honors Diversity in Dance
Six accomplished artists will give virtual master classes for the Washington and Lee community this academic year, covering a wide range of dance styles, from hip-hop to K-pop.
W&L Professor, Student Co-Direct Domestic Violence Documentary
Professor Stephanie Sandberg and Nolan Zunk ’22 co-directed “Intimate Violence,” which will be screened at Hull’s Drive-in to raise money for Project Horizon.
W&L Presents American Shakespeare Center’s ‘Othello’
No tickets are required for the production, which will be performed at Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton on Sept. 12 and streamed live in cinema quality.
Snapshot of a Pandemic
Chris Johnson ’00 uses his camera to document the COVID-19 crisis.
The Creative Type
Working in Italy, starring in theater productions and being involved in Generals' Unity are just a few of the experiences that have made W&L a great fit for Win Gustin '20.
‘EVERYBODY’
Despite a COVID-abbreviated run, the cast of W&L's "EVERYBODY" celebrates the "positive, self-affirming experience" of putting on the show.
United by Dance
When the 25 members of W&L’s Repertory Dance Company were dispersed by COVID-19, director Jenefer Davies found a creative way for them to perform together again.
‘Crossings’ Brings W&L and Lexington Community Together
A new play by Professor Domnica Radulescu gives voice to local immigrants.
W&L Presents ‘EVERYBODY’
Writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who based this play on the anonymous 15th-century "Everyman," presents a new take on an old story and the old question of what happens when we cross over to the other side.
W&L Performs ‘Considering Matthew Shepard’
“Considering Matthew Shepard” tells the now infamous true story and aftermath of the kidnapping, torture and murder of Matthew Shepard near Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Tickets are required for the performance.
W&L Develops a New Study Abroad Program, W&L in Ghana
In 2021, students will have the opportunity to study in Ghana for both Winter and Spring Terms.
W&L Presents American Shakespeare Center’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’
Washington and Lee University presents the American Shakespeare Center’s “The Grapes of Wrath” on Jan. 25.
W&L Hosts Public Lecture with Rachel Louise Snyder
Snyder is a journalist known for her works on the topic of domestic violence.
W&L Lenfest Center presents ‘Step Afrika!’
Tickets to the show can be ordered online or at the box office.
W&L Repertory Dance Company to Perform “W&L Dancers Create…”
Call the Lenfest Center box office today at 540-458-8000 to reserve tickets.
Washington and Lee Students Win Film Project Award
The team won the Mentor Award at the Adrenaline Film Project.
W&L Presents Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a tale built on multiple storylines that interfere with each other and create an irresistible web of mayhem and mischief.
W&L Presents Pickens World Music Concert: Nobuntu
The group will light up the stage with their traditionally Zimbabwean music ranging from genres such as Afro Jazz and Gospel music.
W&L Awarded Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) Collaborative Curricula Themed Grant
The grant will help fund a project to bring professors from the six ACS dance departments to participating campuses and create a model for shared teaching.
All the World’s Her Stage
With the support of faculty and fellow students, Charlotte Cook '19 acted in seven theater productions at W&L while juggling a major, two minors and other extracurricular activities.
W&L Quick Hit: Total Theater
In Professor Rob Mish’s Spring Term class, students take on virtually every aspect of creating a fully staged theatrical production.
Washington and Lee Presents ‘The House of Yes’
“The House of Yes” is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.
A Celebration of the Life of Anne Wilson
W&L students and faculty, as well as members of the Rockbridge Ballet, will participate in the event.
W&L a Charter Member of American Shakespeare Center’s New Academic Leadership Consortium
The partnership will bring the company’s national tour and on-site workshops to W&L’s campus.
New Aerial Dance Part of W&L Repertory Dance Co. Program
The program will include multifaceted dance works created by nationally renowned choreographers, as well as new aerial dance technology.
W&L’s Leyburn Library Hosts Producer Talk Featuring Kevin Finch
Finch will give a public talk on March 20 at 4:30 p.m. on the main floor of Leyburn Library on the W&L campus.
W&L Presents Anton Chekhov’s ‘The Cherry Orchard’
“The Cherry Orchard” is the final full play written by Anton Chekhov, who is considered by many to be the father of modern drama.
From Portland, Oregon, Comes BodyVox Contemporary Dance
BodyVox comes to Lexington for a one-night performance at the Keller Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10.
W&L’s Lenfest Presents ‘A Celebration of Harold Pinter’
The performance will take place on Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Keller Theatre on the Washington and Lee University campus.
W&L Presents “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”
This production is open to the public, but tickets are required.
Eye on the Ball
Washington Term, study abroad opportunities and internships—including one with the Philadelphia Eagles—have helped to shape Jason Renner's plans for the future.
Quick Hit: “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”
Staff and students in the costume shop at Lenfest Center have been hard at work creating fabulous costumes for this upcoming W&L production.
Washington and Lee Presents “Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical”
The show runs Oct. 25-27 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. in Keller Theatre on the W&L campus.
W&L Choral Program and Instrumental Ensemble to Hold Parents and Family Weekend Concerts
Join members of the W&L choral program for a Parents and Family Weekend choral concert on Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. in Wilson Concert Hall.
It’s Nearly Showtime!
Take a peek behind the Lenfest curtain for 2018-19.
Informed by Child’s Play
This summer, Davis Straske '19 is researching children's play in psychology professor Megan Fulcher's Gender Development Lab.
Davies Awarded Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellowship
Jenefer Davies, associate professor of dance and theater, will be among approximately 25 fellows focusing on their own creative projects at the working retreat.
From Dream to Reality
Shapley Davis '18 produced and premiered his own short film, and he hopes to continue making films as he heads off to USC's film school after graduation.
Straughan Addresses Alumni Opening Assembly, ODK Holds Spring Initiation
ODK inducted four honorary and seven student initiates
Washington and Lee University Presents Che Malambo
Che Malambo comes to the Keller stage for a one-night performance on April 26.
Washington Break: More than a Vacation
Washington Break gave students a chance for learning and personal development, as well as all-out fun.
W&L Presents L.A. Theatre Works’ ‘The Mountaintop’
“The Mountaintop” comes to the Keller stage for a one-night performance.
W&L Repertory Dance Company Features Poet Nina Maria Donovan
Her poem "Nasty Woman" and performance were the inspiration for a student-created dance.
Defying Gravity
Professor Jenefer Davies talks about her new book on aerial dance and the physical and artistic challenges of working against gravity.
From Brainstorm to Billboard
Majo Bustamante '18 was a marketing and communications intern for NASA Automotriz, the company that owns the rights to sell Ford and Volkswagen in San Jose, Costa Rica.
W&L Associate Professor of Dance to Give Anne and Edgar Basse Jr. Author Talk
Jenefer Davies will talk about her recent book, “Aerial Dance: A Guide to Dance with Rope and Harness.”
W&L Presents ‘The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’
Performances will run March 1-6.
Quick Hits: Setting the Stage at Lenfest Center
Students play a key role in creating the visual styling for upcoming productions by the theater department.
W&L Theater Presents Children’s Favorite “James and the Giant Peach”
“James and the Giant Peach” follows the story of James, a forgotten and lonely child, played by Arthur Love ’18.
W&L’s Repertory Dance Company to Perform in NYC
Students and alumni members of the award-winning W&L Repertory Dance Company will perform in NYC the last weekend in Jan.
‘Freely and Unapologetically Myself’
Jordan Goldstein's Washington and Lee journey can be followed through her love of music, her adventures on the stage — and the length of her hair.
Washington and Lee University’s Lenfest Center Presents BODYTRAFFIC
The stand-out, 10-member ensemble is praised for its confident execution of a wide range of styles.
W&L Repertory Dance Company to Perform “W&L Dancers Create…”
The performance will be comprised of work choreographed, designed and performed by students.
Annual Dancing with the Professors Event to be Held Nov. 16
The event is a fundraiser for the W&L Chapter of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts.
W&L Presents the World Premiere Stage Production of “1984”
Sandberg’s adaptation follows one character as he grapples with the unnerving grip Big Brother, the overpowering political party, has on Oceania.
Slideshow: Backstage with ‘The Addams Family’
The show will run Thursday, Oct. 26 through Sunday, Oct. 29.
Meet the Addams Family at Washington and Lee University
W&L's Theater, Dance and Film Studies, along with the Department of Music, present the Robert O. and Elizabeth M. Bentley fall musical, “The Addams Family, A New Musical.”
W&L Quick Hits: Magic, Severed Fingers and a Rube Goldberg Machine
Students practiced stage magic, sculpted severed fingers and whipped up batches of fake blood in a Spring Term course on special effects for the theater.
Choreographing with the Stars: Elliot Emadian ‘17
Dancer, choreographer, musician, mathematician: Elliot Emadian '17 has many roles, both on and off the stage.
W&L’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Film Studies presents Aerial Dance
Free performances will take place at Wilson Hall at 3:30 p.m. on May 18 and 11 a.m. on May 19.
L.A. Theatre Works “Judgment at Nuremberg” presented by Lenfest Center for the Arts and W&L Class of ’64
The Lenfest Center for the Arts presents “Judgment at Nuremberg” by the L.A. Theatre Works (LATW), a one-night performance in the Lenfest’s Keller Theater on April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
At Home in LaLa Land
Marquita Robinson ’10 loves the uncertainty of life as a sitcom writer for “New Girl.”
Science, Society and the Arts Presents: Dana Gary ‘18
Dana Gary, whose first EP is recorded, produced and publicized by a student-run record label, will present songs at SSA.
W&L Repertory Dance Company to Perform March 17, 18 and 19
The Washington and Lee University’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Film Studies presents the W&L Repertory Dance Company’s winter concert in a program of multifaceted dance works created by nationally renowned choreographers.
W&L Department of Theater Presents “Dracula”
The Washington and Lee Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies presents “Dracula” on Feb. 9 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 10 at 10 p.m.; and Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Keller Theater, Lenfest Center.
McCarthy Gallery Exhibit to Feature Stephanie Sandberg’s “Stories in Blue”
A new exhibit-installation, directed by Stephanie Sandberg, will be on display in McCarthy Gallery of Holekamp Hall at the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics beginning Jan. 26.
Award-Winning Actress and Playwright Sylvia Milo to Perform “The Other Mozart” at W&L’s Lenfest Center
Through the generosity of the Ruth E. Flournoy Theater Endowment, the Washington and Lee Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies will present Little Matchstick Factory’s “The Other Mozart,” written and performed by Sylvia Milo.
Complexions Contemporary Ballet Celebrates the Diversity of Dance
Complexions Contemporary Ballet comes to the Lenfest Center for a one-night engagement on Jan. 11.
Elliot Emadian Releases Debut Album
Somehow, in addition to all of his coursework and extracurricular activities, Elliot Emadian has found the time to write, record and release his premiere album.
Relishing the Role
Matthew Reichel '17 didn't expect to be cast as Edward in Washington and Lee's production of "Sense and Sensibility," but now he is embracing the part.
A Production for Peace
Alana DeJoseph ’92 is fulfilling her dream of creating a documentary history of the Peace Corps.
W&L Dancers Create…
On Nov. 10-12, the award-winning Washington and Lee Repertory Dance Company will perform "W&L Dancers Create….”
Student Leaders: Taylor Gulotta ’17
Taylor Gulotta '17 discusses the challenges and rewards of stage managing the fall 2016 Bentley Musical "The Theory of Relativity."
Now Playing: Theory of Relativity
The new musical, inspired by the actual stories of the millennial generation, celebrates the connections that unite and define us. .
The Millenials’ Song
The new musical, inspired by the actual stories of the millennial generation, celebrates the connections that unite and define us.
NPR's Stateside Features Interview with W&L's Stephanie Sandberg
Stephanie Sandberg's play "Stories in Blue: A Pilgrimage to Heal Human Trafficking"debuts this week at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI. Sandberg, assistant professor of theater at Washington and Lee, was interviewed about the play on NPR's Stateside program.
Paten Hughes: Lights, Camera, Action!
Actress and producer Paten Hughes’ dream role would be to play Hillary Clinton. “I find her incredibly interesting,” she said in an interview with The Tulcan Times. In the meantime, the recent W&L French and theater graduate has another project that launched Sept. 9 — “Heirloom,” the debut of a nine-part rom-com web series on Vimeo.
In Depth: Science, Society and the Arts
Michael Bronstein '15 and T.J. Fisher '15 study the evolution of the depiction of chaos in art and neuroscience.
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