Theatre Department at UAlbany

  • UAlbany's first student production, Richard Sheridan's The Rivals

    UAlbany's first student production, Richard Sheridan's The Rivals
    This is the first known college theater performance by students.
  • Department of English offers theater

    The Theatre department began with a Dramatics course offered by the Department of English. This course emphasized theory and practice of amateur stage presentation with production of at least one standard play each half year Reputed to be the third such course offered in the United States.
  • Alumni Agnes Futterer begins teaching at UAlbany

    Alumni Agnes Futterer begins teaching at UAlbany
    Agnes E. Futterer started her undergraduate career at UAlbany in 1913 and graduated in 1916. She studied at Columbia and the American Academy of Dramatic Art before returning to Albany to teach in the fall of 1917. Futterer went on to become a highly respected professor of English and drama whose influence was felt for more than forty years. Futterer was a speech and voice teacher to generations of aspiring actors, including Harold Gould, '47. Jarka Burian, a leading expert on Czech theatre
  • Dramatic & Art Association established

    This group was established by Agnes Futterer and Eunice Perine. The new group would offer two plays a year by the Dramatics Class, sponsor prominent lecturers, and a spring trip to New York City theatres and museums. The first play the group gave was the Yellow Jacket on May 23.
  • Arena Summer Theatre initiated

    From 1952 to 1967, theater was offered in an arena setting during the summer semester. The program was discontinued for lack of funding.
  • Theatre Alumni Association formed

    This association was formed to honor Agnes E. Futterer, long time Theatre faculty member and NYSCT graduate.
  • Diary of A Scoundrel

    Diary of A Scoundrel
    Production photo from: Diary of A Scoundrel by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Director: Jarka Burian
  • Department of Speech and Dramatic Art formed

    This department was formed in 1963 and chaired by Paul B. Pettit, who also directed several productions at UAlbany. The Department of Speech and Dramatic Art encompassed the disciplines of Dramatic Art; Rhetoric and Public Address; Radio, Television and Film; and Speech Pathology and Audiology. In addition, it was responsible for the operation of the State University Theatre, was closely affiliated with the Northeastern New York Speech Center, and was the sponsor of a number of course-related
  • The Goodwoman of Setzuan

    The Goodwoman of Setzuan
    Production photo from: The Goodwoman of Setzuan by Bertolt Brecht Director: Jarka Burian
  • Dr. Faustus

    Dr. Faustus
    Production photo from: Dr. Faustus by Phillip Marlowe Director: Jarka Burian
  • Speech and Dramatic Art's first master's thesis production

    The first master's thesis production was Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, directed by Bonnee Scott. It was presented by the Department of Speech and Dramatic Art. Scott holds a 1962 SUNYA degree.
  • Department of Theatre established

    In 1969, the Department of Speech and Dramatic Art was dissolved and the Department of Theatre was established. Recognizing that the "lively arts" drew strength from past endeavors and validity from the contemporary ethic, the department sought to inter-relate the literature, history and criticism of the theatre with an extensive program in production.
  • Scent of Flowers

    Scent of Flowers
    Production photo from: Scent of Flowers by James Saunders Director: Jarka Burian
  • Alice in Wonderland

    Alice in Wonderland
    Production photo from: Alice in Wonderland by Eva LeGallienne Director: Patricia Snyder
  • Dedication of Agnes E. Futterer Memorial Lounge

    The Agnes E. Futterer Memorial lounge was dedicated to long time faculty member and alumna of the University at Albany. A portrait of Futterer is hanging with a plaque stating her dedication to the art of theatre and the students here. Many theatre students hang out and conversate in the lounge, located on the second floor of the Performing Arts Center.
  • Waiting for Godot

    Waiting for Godot
    Production photo from: Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett Director: James Symons
  • Thieves' Carnival

    Thieves' Carnival
    Production photo from: Thieves' Carvinal by Jean Anouilh Director: James Leonard
  • Getting Out

    Getting Out
    Production photo from: Getting Out by Marsha Norman
    Lab Theatre Director: Jerry Hanley Scene Designer: Robert J. Donnelly Costume Designer: Amy Koplow Lighting Designer: Robert J. Donnelly
  • The Furies

    The Furies
    Production photo from: The Furies by Sophocles
    Main Theatre Director: Constance Valis-Hill Scenic Designer: Robert J. Donnelly
  • Oedipus the King

    Oedipus the King
    Production photo from: Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
    Main Theatre Director: Jarka Burian Scene Designer: Paul Tazewell Costumer Designer: Paul Tazewell Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons
  • Futterer-Gould fund established

    The fund was established by actor Harold Gould, '47, in honor of his drama teacher Agnes Futterer. Gould donated $100,000 to establish the Fund which can be used by the Theatre Department "in any way to promote awareness and illustrate the values of becoming proficient in the field."
  • Much Ado About Nothing

    Much Ado About Nothing
    Production photo from: Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
    Main Theatre Director: Mark Dalton Scene Designer: Harry Feiner '75 Costume Designer: Janet Sussman Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream

    A Midsummer Night's Dream
    Production photo from: A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
    Main Theatre Director: Mark Dalton Set Designer: Ken Goldstein Costume Designer: Janet Sussman Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons Sound Designer: Andrew Odell '06 Makeup Designer: Zoraida Orellana '06 Choreographer: Ione Beauchamp Vocal Coach: Nancy Saklad
  • Famous by Their Birth, Shakespeare Power Plays

    Famous by Their Birth, Shakespeare Power Plays
    Production photo from: Famous by Their Birth, Shakespeare Power Plays
    by William Shakespeare, Adapted by Jeffrey Mousseau and Ian Sullivan ’07 Arena Theatre Director: Jeffrey Mousseau Set Designer: Ken Goldstein Costume Designer: Janet Sussman Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons Sound Designer: Jacob T. Greene ‘09 Fight Choreographer: David Bunce Vocal Coach: Paul Ricciardi
  • Picasso at the Lapine Agile

    Picasso at the Lapine Agile
    Production photo from: Picasso at the Lapine Agile by Steve Martin
    Main Theatre Director: Laura Margolis Set Designer: Ken Goldstein Costume Designer: Matthew Hamilton ‘08 Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons Sound Designer: Stephen Stanley ‘08 Makeup Designer: Lisamarie Rynkiewicz ‘09
  • Antigone

    Antigone
    Production photo from: Antigone by Bertolt Brecht
    Main Theatre Translated by Judith Malina Director: Chad Larabee Set Designer: Ken Goldstein Costume Designer: Janet Sussman Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons Sound Designer and Video Designer: Chad Larabee Makeup Designer: Lisamarie Rynkewicz '10
  • Jesus Hopped The A Train

    Jesus Hopped The A Train
    Production photo from: Jesus Hopped The A Train by Stephen Guirgus
    Studio Theatre Director: Jeff Mousseau Set Designer: Ken Goldstein Costume Designer: Janet Sussman Lighting Designer: Andi Lyons