The skilled playwrights of The Theatre School come together to present a full two weeks of new work! With events like The Debutante Ball and Playwright Slam, this is the perfect time to witness the great work of our students.
The Theatre School is excited to invite all Goodman School of Drama and The Theatre School alumni “home” for a multi-day reunion around Centennial themed activities. Centennial Homecoming will include opportunities for alumni to reconnect with each other while also interacting with current TTS students, faculty, and staff. Events will culminate with the special Centennial Gala and after party.
Stay tuned for information on how you can get involved.
The Old Post Office
433 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL
The culminating event of our Centennial year, Lights Up! will celebrate The Theatre School’s legacy while raising vital funds for the next century of excellence in arts education. Enjoy delicious food and drink, connect with fellow alumni and advocates, and dance the night away at “Curtain Call: The After Party”. Proceeds from this event will further TTS’ mission and ensure that talented students receive resources and support for generations to come.
Stay tuned for information about sponsorship opportunities and tickets.
The night began with a program hosted by Emmy Award-winning TV weather anchor for WGN Morning News and Theatre School alumnus, Paul Konrad (BFA Acting ‘87). An ensemble of Theatre School Alumni opened and closed the program with an adapted rendition of “100 Years” by Five for Fighting. Performers included Jack Ball (BFA Acting ‘14), Adam Brown (BFA Acting ’12), George Keating (Faculty/BFA Acting ‘90), Becky Keeshin (BFA Acting ’17), and Zoé Soteres (BFA Acting ‘24). The band included School of Music students: Connor Ampleman and James Kardos on bass and drums, respectively. Jeff Mills (Faculty) played the guitar and Mark Elliott (Faculty) arranged, music directed, and played the piano.
Following the musical performance, PJ Byrne (MFA Acting ‘99) shared a video greeting and shared his well-wishes, congratulating The Theatre School on its milestone year. Additional speakers included President Robert L. Manuel, who spoke about the history of The Theatre School at DePaul and why it is vital to the university’s mission, and Martine Kei Green-Rogers (Dean) who spoke about her vision for The Theatre School.
Following the program, attendees gathered in the Watts Lobby for a champagne toast, led by Paul Konrad. Rocio Valera said a few words on behalf of Alderman Brian Hopkins, representing the 2nd Ward of Chicago, and presented a resolution to The Theatre School on behalf of the City Council of Chicago, honoring the legacy of the school. The remainder of the evening was spent enjoying food, drinks, and the company of fellow Theatre School community members. Director of Development for the Arts, Kemper Florin’s speech honored the 100-year legacy of The Theatre School while looking ahead to an exciting future through the Next Century Campaign.
The celebration continued on Thursday, January 30th with current students marking the milestone, along with DePaul’s Blue Demon Challenge. The Student Kickoff and Blue Demon Challenge Celebration included a buffet, cutting of the centennial cake, swag grab bags, and a group photo-op. Student Government President Sarah Johnson (BFA Theatre Arts ‘25) and SGA Social Media Manager Alena Santoyo (BFA Theatre Arts ‘25) spoke at the event.
Thank you to the 245 donors who supported The Theatre School for the Blue Demon Challenge! Because of you, we surpassed our goals and raised $459,228 to build a bright future for students at TTS. We are grateful for your support and are looking forward to rising to the challenge next year!
The celebration continued on Thursday, January 30th with current students marking the milestone, along with DePaul’s Blue Demon Challenge. The Student Kickoff and Blue Demon Challenge Celebration included a buffet, cutting of the centennial cake, swag grab bags, and a group photo-op. Student Government President Sarah Johnson (BFA Theatre Arts ‘25) and SGA Social Media Manager Alena Santoyo (BFA Theatre Arts ‘25) spoke at the event.
Thank you to the 245 donors who supported The Theatre School for the Blue Demon Challenge! Because of you, we surpassed our goals and raised $459,228 to build a bright future for students at TTS. We are grateful for your support and are looking forward to rising to the challenge next year!
The Theatre School’s Centennial Graduate Showcase kicked off with an actor presentation in Chicago on Monday, March 17th at The Theatre School. Thank you to the alumni and industry who came to see our graduating Performance students! It was a wonderful evening full of connections, bites, and celebration.
If you would like to view the Class of 2025's digital materials online, please click this link.
Thank you to Eliana Deckner-Glick (BFA Acting ‘23), Julian Hester (BFA Acting ‘12), Susaan Jamshidi (MFA Acting ‘07), Christopher Wayland Jones (MFA Acting ’16), and Isabelle Muthiah (BFA Acting ‘20) for serving as panelists on our Chicago Alumni Panel this year.
Following the Chicago Showcase, the Performance Centennial Class of 2025 spent their spring break in Los Angeles. They performed their showcase at the Garry Marshall Theatre on Monday, March 24th, met local alumni, and attended industry panels. Thank you to Theatre School alumni Chanell Bell (MFA Acting ‘18), Casey Campbell (BFA Acting ‘06), Jamar Gilbert (BFA Acting ‘16), TJ Harris (MFA Acting ‘21), and Kayla Raelle (BFA Acting ‘16) for speaking with our graduates about life after graduation at the Sunset Las Palmas Studios!
2025 is the first year graduating Comedy Arts students traveled for Graduate Showcase. After performing their material earlier this year in Chicago as a part of MessFest, our Comedy Arts students took their showcase to New York City. They performed at Littlefield Performing Arts Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, March 20th, and attended various comedy workshops while in the city.
Following their New York showcase, Comedy Arts graduates traveled to Los Angeles and performed their showcase following the actor presentation on March 24th. Concluding their time in Los Angeles, Comedy Arts students had the opportunity to perform at President Robert Manuel’s reception in The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Performers included: Tucker Privette, Ally Montgomery, Joseph Walsdorf, and Melina Arevalo.
Design and Technology students joined Performance and Comedy Arts in New York and Los Angeles. Stage Management students traveled to assist with executing all showcases, and the group visited the Metropolitan Opera and the Kaufman Astoria Studios Costume Collection, met the costume team and scenic artists for FBI: Most Wanted, attended an alumni breakfast, and saw The Great Gatsby on Broadway!
