UMass Amherst Theater

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UMass Amherst Theater

UMass Theater invites audiences into its 2026-27 season, and student theater-makers into its successful and inspiring undergrad and grad programs.

Theater is not a one-man show. We believe in collaboration, in pairing the freshest minds and newest ideas with wisdom and experience. Our productions work, because we work together. Come see for yourself!

09/17/2026

Today's post comes from Queens, where a company of alums is set to open HAMLET on Sept. 23!

Strange Fish Projects had its start during our first Fringe Fest in 2022, and as you'll read, the company's continued success is a testament to the way we teach theater at the undergrad level.

We'll let co-founder Claudia Maurino explain:

"Strange Fish was founded by me Claudia Maurino '24 (me), Ivy Linden-Dionne '22, and Kaliska Wiley '24 when we put on A Midsummer Night's Dream. Since then, we've done Romeo & Juliet (2024) and Much Ado About Nothing (2025), and we're opening Hamlet in exactly one week.

Each show has featured between 5-8 UMass grads, and this show is no different. It's starring alumni Kaliska Wiley as Hamlet & fight choreographer, Annie Gallivan as Ophelia & costume designer, Darrow Sherman as Ghost/Gravedigger/Player & composer/sound designer, Izze Clark as Horatio & technical director, with Ivy Linden-Dionne on directing & lighting design, and me directing & producing/stage managing. It's going up at the Court Square Theater in Queens, NYC, from September 23-26th (tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strange-fish-presents-hamlet-tickets-1998671337774?aff=oddtdtcreator).

All of the UMass alumni in this show are pulling double or triple duty, and I think it's thanks in large part to the well-rounded nature of a UMass Theater education. For myself alone, I came to UMass interested in acting, and departed a director, playwright, and stage manager — three roles I didn't know I'd love and excel in until I was given — or was allowed to create — opportunities at UMass to explore them.

I wanted to share it in the spirit of our collective gratitude for our UMass experiences, as well as a desire to connect with the broader UMass community (especially if anyone else is in NYC and might want to attend...!)"

The show runs Sept. 23-26, so get your tickets soon!

09/16/2026

TEACHERS: These seats would look so much nicer with YOUR students in them!

We offer student matinees for all of our mainstage season shows.
For recommended age ranges and to make a reservation (no financial commitment at this time), visit:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IxpHRxry4nh_CdyBxgSxLJVgs9Tnt5rbMYgOiHubs0U/edit

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
By William Finn (music and lyrics) and Rachel Sheinkin (book)
Director: Gina Kaufmann
Nov. 4 at 10 a.m.
The Rand Theater

The Moors
By Jen Silverman
Director: Cordelia Winter Dwyer
Dec. 10 at 10 a.m.
The Curtain Theater
Recommended for ages 16 and up due to adult situations, violence and gore, and references to sexual assault

Between Tattoos: A Biomythography
By Iya Awotunde Judyie Ella Al-Bilali, adapted by Priscilla Maria Page
Directing and Dramaturgy: Jen Onopa and Tatiana M. Rodriguez
Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.
The Curtain Theater

Appropriate
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Director: Kyle Boatwright
April 14 at 10 a.m.
The Rand Theater

Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
Director: Cordelia Winter Dwyer
Location and performance dates TBA

09/13/2026

MEET THE DIRECTOR:
Cordelia Winter Dwyer is directing THE MOORS

Auditions start tomorrow for Spelling Bee, The Moors, and Between Tattoos, and we want to see YOU!

IMPORTANT: Spelling Bee and The Moors are auditioning together; Between Tattoos is a separate audition. Sign up at the links in our bio, but we'll do our best to accommodate walk-ins.

You've met the folks from the other two shows in previous posts, but here's a quick introduction to Cordelia!

1. Give us your one-sentence elevator pitch about your production.

A q***r gothic bloody comedy about women living on the Yorkshire Moors.

2. What are you looking forward to most about directing/creating this show?

Costumes! Blood! Music! Mystery! And its just so freaking funny!

3. What are 3 words that you would use to describe this show?

Funny, dark, q***r.

4. What’s your favorite rehearsal snack?

My wife and I make chex mix and it's so good for rehearsals.

Links to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4AA5A92AABFE3-65518324-between #/

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4AA5A92AABFE3-65517580-the25th #/

09/11/2026

Meet the director of SPELLING BEE!
Professor Gina Kaufmann is directing The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for UMass Theater this fall, and she's excited to work with a group of enthusiastic, committed performers to bring this sweet, funny musical to our Rand stage.

Auditions are coming up Sept. 14 and 15 and Gina would love to see you there!

Here's a quick intro to her, and what she's looking forward to on this production:

1. Give us your one-sentence elevator pitch about your production.
Gina: Spelling Bee is hilarious and heart-warming — a charming and playful musical window into the awkwardness and anxiety that comes with growing up.

2. What are you looking forward to most about directing/creating this show?
Gina: Many of our undergraduate students passionately advocated for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee to be our musical this season. Their passion pulled me in and I'm very excited about collaborating with them on these loveable, quirky characters.

3. What are 3 words that you would use to describe this show?
Gina: Hope, connection, laughter

4. What’s your favorite rehearsal snack?
Gina: Well. I always bring sliced apples, but I usually forget to eat them.

Want to audition? Signs ups are open now!
Visit our audition page to learn more about this and the other two shows auditioning that week, and sign up for a slot: https://www.umass.edu/theater/performances/auditions

09/10/2026

REMINDER
Meet & Greet
Sept. 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Curtain Theater

For returning majors, minors, and MTC students, AND new students — ALL ARE WELCOME

Say hi to your friends and meet new ones!
Learn about auditions, signing up for 110, Spotlight Network, classes with open spots, Fringe, and more!

09/08/2026

Meet the creative team for BETWEEN TATTOOS
(Audition information below!)

Last school year, we grieved the passing of Iya Awotunde Judyie Ella Al-Bilali (photo at top left), a wonderful theater-maker who was an alumna and a full Professor at UMass Theater.

This year, we are bringing to our season an adaptation of her last book, Between Tattoos. The production team includes Professor Priscilla Maria Page (top right photo), and a pair of alums whom Iya mentored, Jen Onopa (bottom right) and Tatiana Rodriguez (bottom left).

We asked Jen and Tatiana some questions. Read on for more about them, the show, and how to audition.

1. Give us your one-sentence elevator pitch about your production.
● A Biomythography is a powerfully poetic memoir and a lyrical treatise on art and life written by Iya Awotunde Judyie Ella Al-Bilali, the first Black woman to hold the title of Full Professor in the Department of Theater at UMASS Amherst.
● This is a performance about an impactful artist who viewed her art, life, teaching, and spirituality as one and the same, and it will change how you think about your own creative offerings to the world.

2. What are you looking forward to most about directing/creating this show?
● Tatiana: Honoring Iya Judyie’s artistic research and legacy
● Jen: Keeping Iya Judyie’s flame burning brightly

3. What are 3 words that you would use to describe this show?
● Tatiana: Audacious, communal, unapologetic
● Jen: Inspiring, moving, intuitive

4. What’s your favorite rehearsal snack?
● Tatiana: Chilli and lime tortilla chips
● Jen: Popcorn

AUDITION:
Interested performers should be prepared to tell a personal story of some significance to them. This can be about an event or experience from any point in their life, but ideally should be something that has shaped who they are. Ideally this story should be no more than 2 minutes long, with a clear beginning and end, and a clear description of why or how this experience has shaped them in some way.

For details and to sign up for an audition spot:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4AA5A92AABFE3-65518324-between #/

09/04/2026

UMass Theater Audition Workshop — with Cordelia Winter Dwyer

Polish up your audition during a free workshop with one of this season’s directors!

Free for all performers; non-theater majors and community members welcome

Sept. 11 immediately following the Meet & Greet, no registration required

09/02/2026

DEPARTMENT MEET & GREET
Sept. 11 at 4:30
in the Curtain Theater
Majors, Minors, MTC and Theater-Curious students warmly welcomed

If you have questions about:
Auditions
What a 110 is and why you should do one
Where the Arts Bridge is
Why we have so many lobbies
Who can answer what questions about theater/UMass/life.. and more...

You should attend!

09/01/2026

AUDITION SIGNUPS ARE OPEN for SPELLING BEE, THE MOORS, BETWEEN TATTOOS

Auditions for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Moors, and Between Tattoos: An Autobiomythography are scheduled for Sept. 14 & 15, 6:30-10:30. Callbacks will be Sept. 16 & 17.

Auditions for Spelling Bee and The Moors will be held jointly. Performers should prepare a 1 - 2 minute contemporary monologue and 16 bars of a song. An accompanist will be available for auditions.
To sign up for a 30-minute slot, see character breakdowns and and casting notes for each production, please visit: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4AA5A92AABFE3-65517580-the25th #/

Between Tattoos will have 45 minute auditions. Interested performers should be prepared to tell a personal story of some significance to them. This can be about an event or experience from any point in their life, but ideally should be something that has shaped who they are. Ideally this story should be no more than 2 minutes long, with a clear beginning and end, and a clear description of why or how this experience has shaped them in some way. The use of movement or props to assist in conveying the story is welcomed but not required. Performers will be asked to respond to adjustments from the director, and participate in a short conversation with the directing team.
For more information about the project, character and process information, and to sign up for an audition slot, visit:https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B4AA5A92AABFE3-65518324-between #/

Auditioning for multiple shows
Although performers cannot be cast in two shows that have conflicting rehearsal schedules or performance schedules, we encourage you to audition for all of our productions. If the directors of two shows with overlapping schedules both wish to cast you, you will be cast in the role that provides you with the largest opportunity. In addition, you may express a preference for one production over another.

This semester, our productions of Spelling Bee and The Moors will be in conflict with one another. The Moors and Between Tattoos will also be in conflict.

08/31/2026

MEET THE MTC DIRECTOR!

What's MTC, you ask? It's the Multicultural Theater Certificate, which is open to majors, minors, grads, and 5-College folks who are interested in engaging with the theater practices of artists of color and in thinking about the ideas of “multiculturalism” and “diversity” within the context of theater's future.

Heading up the program is Dr. Priscilla Maria Page, who is also on the dramaturgy faculty in the department.

1. What’s your favorite thing about UMass Theater? I love the curiosity and the creativity that our students bring to the classroom and to our productions. I’m always amazed by the effort and the imagination that everyone pours into their work in the department.

2. Tell us something you love about your role as Multicultural Theater Certificate Director.
I love meeting and supporting students in the department and from other departments on our campus as well as the five colleges. I’ve mentored students who have gone on to become successful actors, writers, business leaders, and even one medical doctor.

3. What’s something you’ve learned from students? I learn time and time again that we each have unique gifts and with the right care and attention, each and every student can cultivate their artistic voice.

4. What advice would you give someone who’s considering the certificate?
The multicultural theater certificate has been designed with the student experience in mind. It is a relatively easy certificate to add to the theater major or any major on campus.

5. Tell us a cool experience you had as a theater artist.
I traveled to the Philippines to participate in the Women Playwright’s International conference in the early 2000s. I got to spend about five days with Philippine playwright Jessica Hagedorn who is a celebrity there. She pointed out many of the places where scenes in her play Dogeaters took place. It was quite an incredible way to experience Manila.

Address

Randolph W. Bromery Center For The Arts
Amherst, MA
01003

Opening Hours

12:30pm - 4pm

Website

http://www.umass.edu/theater/

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