UK Theatre and Dance to Launch New Performance Touring Company for Fayette County Elementary Students

The UK Department of Theatre and Dance is bringing the magic of storytelling to local classrooms with the launch of its new Performance Touring Company, directed by Nancy Jones, professor of theatre and director of the musical theatre certificate program.

This fall, 20 UK theatre and dance students are reimagining well-known fairy and folk tales as 10-minute plays, which will be combined into a one-hour production tailored for young audiences. The show will tour three Fayette County elementary schools - Breckinridge, Brenda Cowan and Garden Springs - reaching more than 900 K–2 students.

"Our students will be fully engaged in every aspect of the production process," Jones said. "They are writing the scripts, acting, directing, designing sets, props, and costumes, and learning what it takes to bring a show on the road. It's going to be a wonderful experiential learning opportunity, and they are excited to be able to share their performance training in a community-engaged setting."

The Performance Touring Company underscores the department’s commitment to making the arts accessible to all audiences while also giving UK students meaningful, hands-on professional training that mirrors the collaborative nature of the arts industry.

"The creativity and power of theatre and dance come alive in this project," said Susie Thiel, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. "It not only provides an exciting educational experience for elementary students in Fayette County but also prepares our own students to grow as artists, leaders and community partners."

An open dress rehearsal for the touring production will be announced later this semester, offering the campus community a chance to see the show before it heads out to schools. 

This work is part of a larger effort by the Department of Theatre and Dance to expand its community engagement footprint. In addition to this project, the department will host the Kentucky Theatre Association Festival Nov. 20-21, welcoming more than 300 high school students to campus, and launch a community Gatsby Book Club tied to its spring production of The Great Gatsby. Other outreach opportunities include High School Theatre Day on Oct. 17, featuring snippets from Into the Woods, master classes and Q&A sessions, and High School Dance Day on Feb. 6. The department will also continue to offer student matinee performances throughout the season, providing access to live theatre and dance experiences for young audiences across the region.