The Theatre School at DePaul University

The Spring 2026 edition of Spotlight is here! 🎉

With the launch of TTSNL and the first-ever TTS Dance Concert, a joint reading of Damon Kiely's new play Pinto with A Red Orchid Theatre, the 31st Wrights of Spring, and thought-provoking productions, this quarter was full of creativity, growth, and collaboration.

Stay up to date on the latest stories, achievements, and milestones from The Theatre School community here: https://bit.ly/4eDrA1r

📸 Michael Brosilow

Congratulations to The Theatre School Class of 2026! 😈💙🎓

We're proud to celebrate all you've accomplished and can't wait to see where your next act takes you!

Photos by Holden Hall/DePaul Student Photo Agency

What are the most important qualities of an effective educator?

According to Dean Martine Kei Green-Rogers, it starts with understanding the goals and dreams of the students you serve.

Dean Green-Rogers recently shared her insights on leadership, innovation, and the questions every educator should keep asking themselves in Authority Magazine's interview series, “5 Things You Need To Know To Be A Highly Effective Educator or Teacher.”

Read the full interview here: https://bit.ly/3S82HU5

A Graduation Celebration for the books! 💙😈🎓

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Graduation Celebration as we honored The Theatre School's Class of 2026! We're so proud of all they've accomplished and can't wait to cheer them on as they walk across the stage this Saturday!

Meet your 2026 Commencement Speaker, Lily Kate Cobb! 🎓

At The Theatre School, Lily found a creative home in Chicago, a cohort of fellow playwrights who challenged and inspired her, and confidence in writing as herself:

“When I brought in my writing, no one was asking me to be a specific kind of playwright. They just wanted me to write like Lily Kate. We were never asked to be anything else, just who we are... It’s been incredible seeing each member of my cohort grow into their own voices. ”

We’re proud to celebrate Lily Kate Cobb and the rest of DePaul University's Class of 2026!

Read the rest of Lily Kate's story here: https://bit.ly/4uqtg4g

📸 Jade Walker

TTS's first Dance Concert opened last night to a sold-out house! 💃

Don't miss your chance to witness this moving performance accompanied by live music, courtesy of DePaul University School of Music students.

Tickets are limited and selling quickly!

Purchase your tickets today: https://bit.ly/4e4pqaF

We hope to see you there!

📸 Kiersten Hung

As Is God Is has its final day in theaters, we're looking back at our 2024 production and celebrating the artists who brought the story to life on our Watts stage.

We'd also like to congratulate our alum, Justen Ross (BFA Acting '21), who plays Riley in the film!

Is God Is
by Aleshea Harris
directed by N. Emil Thomas

The cast featured Nicholas Blevins (Riley), Chika Brown (Anaia), Preston Everett (Chuck Hall), Christina Landry (Angie), Noah Lash (Scotch), DeVaughn A. Loman (Man), Alexis Primus (She), and Danoeh Renaud (Racine).
​
The creative team included lighting design by Karina Osbourne, sound design by Emily Lynch, projection design by Dwight Bellisimo, costume design by Anika Splettstoeszer, scenic design by Nora Brooks-Slauter, stage management by Bruno Díaz Miranda, dramaturgy by LeeAnne Nakamura and Omari Sloan, wig & makeup design by Hannah Andruss, technical direction by Kirsten Krieman, dialect coaching by Shadana Patterson, and fight and intimacy choreography by Jyreika Guest. ​

📸 Michael Brosilow

Content
by Joseph Frantzen
directed by Bonnie Metzgar

Part of the New Playwrights Series.
May 22, 2026 - May 31, 2026
In the Healy Theatre

The cast featured Maxine Rasmussen (ABIGAIL), Garrett Schaap (NATHAN), Kimberly Blaise MacCormack (CARRIE / REGINA), Lindsey Caroll (DAWN), Peyton Owen (AIDEN / MARK), Brindley Vail (SABRINA), and Nick Valdes (CHUCK / KEVIN).

The creative team included intimacy direction by Allison Peevy & Rachel Bass; scenic design by Brett H. Baleskie; costume design by Sophie Uno; wig, hair and makeup by McMillin Spicer; lighting design by Maddy McKinney; sound design by Dylan Kintner; projection design by Andres Fiz; technical direction by Rodolfo Torres; dramaturgy by Leo Larson; and stage management by Isabelle Anderle.

📸 Michael Brosilow

Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play
by Masi Asare
based on Marvel Comics by G. Willow Wilson, Adrian Alphona & Sana Amanat
directed by Reshmi Hazra Rustebakke

May 14, 2026 - May 30, 2026
DePaul's Merle Reskin Theatre

The cast featured Sophia Harley (Kamala Khan), Jamille Calixte (Bruno Carrelli/Ensemble), Nicholas O’Connor (Gabe Hillman/Ensemble), Marcie Wright (Ms. Norris/Ensemble), Caitlin Burke (Mike Gutierrez/Ensemble), Andreas Woods (Nakia Bahadir/Ensemble), Elena Sofi Crawford (Zoe Zimmer/Ensemble), Zoya Ahmad (Ammi/Ensemble), Charlotte Staggs (Fangirl/Ensemble), Tiffany Covella (Alex/Ensemble), Jayden T. Jones (Josh Richardson/Ensemble), and Dylan C. Young (Lee/Ensemble).

The creative team included vocal coaching by Sammi Grant; scenic design by Brianna Michuda; costume design by Maria Lucia Gomez Acosta; wig, hair, and makeup design by Mia Arroyo; lighting design by Alex Elko; sound design by Ava Berry; projection design by Adrien Mathieu; technical direction by Darby H. Thurston; dramaturgy by Ethan Rosario Arnold; and stage management by Hazel Forkner & Alondra Vela.

📸 Michael Brosilow