Illinois Theatre

08/31/2026

Nisi Sturgis(Associate Professor, Acting) and
Jordan Coughtry(Adjunct Teaching Assistant Professor, Theatre Studies)

“[We] both performed in repertory this summer at Colorado Shakespeare Festival. I played Olivia in Twelfth Night and the Nurse in Shakespeare in Love, while Jordan played Feste in Twelfth Night, Richard Burbage in Shakespeare in Love, and also composed all of the music for the season. This was the first season in the newly reopened Mary Rippon Theatre, which seats around 1,000 people, and it was such an exciting experience. “

-Nisi

08/28/2026

Rob Perry(Associate Professor, Lighting Design Director of Design)

Statewide: Illinois Artist Showcase, August 7 - August 29

“The Statewide: Illinois Artist Showcase, which debuted in 2022, was originally created in response to the discontinuation of the professional art exhibit at the Illinois State Fair.  Open to artists aged 21 and older, this showcase celebrates the diversity and creative talent throughout the state. From painting and sculpture to ceramics and mixed media, the work on view reflects the dynamic spirit of Illinois’ art scene.”

Link to work:
https://www.springfieldart.org/mg-nelson-family-gallery.html.

“Also, during the entire month of September, I have a solo art show at the Illini Union Art Gallery featuring over 20 of my pieces I have created since January, many of which I have created this summer.”

Link to work:
https://www.upcycle-artworks.com/
https://union.illinois.edu/artgallery

08/28/2026

Introducing our faculty & staff summer series! For the next couple of posts, we will be exploring the summers of our staff and faculty and celebrating their summer achievements.

Our first Faculty member:

Geovonday Jones(Assistant Professor, Acting)

“After a successful launch of Fat Ham, a show I directed at the Black Rep, in May, I was invited to present my research at a Canadian conference, “Resilience and Expansion: Using an anti-Black racism lens to affect change in performance training” at the Canadian Association for Theatre Research’s “2026: Inheritances in Transition: Rehearsing Change for Theatre and Performance Futures conference.” At the University of Victoria, in Victoria, BC, Canada.

After that, I headed to Ohio, where I trained actors and acting teachers in the Michael Chekhov technique at the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. Later, I was invited to study on-camera scene study with The Moving Frame in New York City.”

08/25/2026

USA Today’s ‘10 Best’ has recognized the work of Illinois theatre students in their vote for Best Escape Room. CU Adventures, recently opened ‘The Forest of Fables’ which contained designs and fabrications from theatre students. Help us celebrate the our students and vote their work for Best Escape Room!

Voting link:
https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/cu-adventures-in-time-and-space-urbana-illinois/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT5flNwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMVRQTlFrZnA4Wkd4VkNqOG1zcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe3xvsCW_Petsi3dH5geHKsMmu3XwJlisDSsCKvIQvP4VcugioPW9vHAw1Q_E_aem_oc30-2kdXvLXc8_gFZVxjQ

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08/24/2026

Happy first day of classes!! We hope you had an amazing day and we can’t wait for what this semester brings.🔷🔶

05/27/2026

Congratulations to American Players Theatre (APT) on their 2026 Regional Theatre Tony Award! So many Illinois Theatre alumni, faculty, and students have had the pleasure to be a part of this amazing community of theatre artists!

This tiny town, population 1,573, is home to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin, dramatic scenery, and — as of 2026 — a Tony-winning outdoor theater.

05/26/2026

Welcome!!! Summer is just beginning but we are already EXCITED about next school year!

We have some great news to kick off the summer...

The College of Fine and Applied Arts is pleased to announce Andrew Friedman as the next head of the Department of Theatre! 🎭

His appointment will begin August 16, 2026, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

An internationally recognized theatre artist, scholar, and educator, Friedman brings decades of experience in performance, research, and higher education leadership.

Please join us in welcoming Drew to the University of Illinois community!

More about Drew: https://theatre.illinois.edu/about-us/news/andrew-drew-friedman-named-head-of-the-department-of-theatre/
Illinois Theatre

05/22/2026

Illinois Theatre wishes you all an amazing summer break! Congratulations to all the grads and we can’t wait to see everyone else back in the fall!

05/22/2026

…Victoria Renguso…

Hi! I’m Vic, the student worker behind the socials! It has been such a joy to be able to post everyones accomplishments and share what is going on in the Illinois Theatre community! I am so grateful for this opportunity the past two years and I will miss posting but will always support from the audience! Thank you Illinois Theatre for everything 🎭

Hometown: Wauconda, IL

Fav memory: From late night rehearsals to long chats in the office there are too many to choose from!

Involvement:
Catherine, Fight Captain in A View From the Bridge
SPOT Theatre Project Ensemble
Titania in Bridge Project: A Mini Midsummer
Nina in Clouds Shaped Like Pianos
Narrator, Beth in Through the Elevated Line
Chorus, Euphrosyne in Orlando

What’s next: Audition, audition, audition! and Chicago!

05/21/2026

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2026! You did it! Be so proud of all you have accomplished at your time at Illinois Theatre. Remember that we are always here for you and will continue to support you in all your future endeavors! Theatre is life! 🎭