Spotlight:  Spring 2026

Spotlight is The Theatre School’s quarterly magazine showcasing the people, productions, and creative work that define our community. Each issue highlights the artistry and accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the events that shape life at TTS.

The Spring 2026 edition captures a quarter marked by bold experimentation, collaboration, and new artistic milestones across The Theatre School, featuring:

• TTSNL's debut, an all-new late-night sketch showcase created by Comedy Arts students in partnership with Design and Technology students.
• Spring productions including Chicago Playworks’ Mirror of Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play, directed by Reshmi Hazra Rustebakke (MFA Directing '12), and Content by Joseph Frantzen (BFA Playwriting '26), presented as part of the New Playwrights Series.
• Pinto, a new play by faculty member Damon Kiely, developed through a mentorship collaboration with A Red Orchid Theatre that paired students with Chicago theatre professionals across disciplines.
• The first-ever TTS Dance Concert, directed by Lin Kahn, celebrating the continued growth of the dance minor and interdisciplinary partnerships with the School of Music.
• The 31st Annual Wrights of Spring Festival, continuing a three-decade tradition of showcasing student playwrights and new work.
• Community engagement at C2E2, where nearly 40 TTS students, faculty, and staff provided costume, prop, and wig repairs, led demonstrations and workshops, and shared their expertise with convention attendees.
• Awards and recognitions, including Michael Merritt Award honorees and Tony Award nominees.