The Department of Theatre and Dance hosts guest artists who lead masterclasses, workshops, and lectures that engage with students on both technical and artistic levels. These artists bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the world of professional theatre and dance. Students have the opportunity to work alongside these experts, gaining insights into industry trends, techniques, and creative practices.
Recent Guest Artists
- Erika Dickerson-Despenza - playwright
- Ariel Richardson – actress and model, Chicago
- Brian Keys – Actor, musician, Chicago
- Jen Smith – Production manager, Milwaukee Rep Theatre
- Stuart Pimsler and Suzanne Costello -Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater
- Teresa Tomb - Mecca Live Studio and Gallery
- Derrick Evans - Guest Choreographer
- Michael and Mary Richardson - Hepcats Swing Dance
- Missy Lay Zimmer - Exhale Dance Tribe - Guest Choreographer
- Andrew Hubbard - Exhale Dance Tribe- Guest Choreographer
- Penny Arcade- Performance Artist
- MamLuft&Co.- Jeanne Mam-Luft
- David Denman - Hollywood Actor, Roy on The Office
- Mercedes Masohn - Hollywood Actor, The Closer, 666 Park
- Alexander Rovang - Broadway Music Director, Conductor, Pianist
- Nan Giordano - Artistic Director of Giordano Dance Chicago
- Theresa Bautista - Guest Artist, Choreographer
- Zan Sawyer Dailey – Associate Director, Actors Theatre of Louisville
- Matt Fletcher – Hollywood Talent Agent
- Jonathan Groff – Broadway and Television
- Andrew Ray – Stage Combat
- Atsuyoshi Asano – Japanese Noh Drama Master
- Kyle Weishaar – Hollywood Stuntman
- Angel Laketa Moore – Hollywood Actor, Five Seasons on E.R.
- Andy Gaukel – Guest Director, International Puppet Artist
- Sara Rue, actor (Less Than Perfect, CBS; Pearl Harbor)
- Blake Pearson – Guest Choreographer
- Amy Chavasse – Guest Choreographer
- Sheri Sanders – Guest Artist, Broadway Artist, Rock the Audition
- Lakshmi Sriraman, Bharata Natyam
- Kalamandalam Shanmughan and Viswanath Kaladharan, Kathakali
- Krithika Rajagopalan of Chicago’s Natya Dance Theatre
- Qian Yi, acclaimed actress of Chinese Kun Opera
- Gareth Armstrong of the Royal Shakespeare Company
- Shuling Fister (Chinese Han Fan Dance, Chinese folk dance)
