One of the leading conservatory training programs in the United States, the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama educates and trains the theatre artists who will become the collaborators, innovators, and leaders of their profession.

Dates and times will be posted at a later date.

For more information Watch our Trailer.

 

PLAYGROUND IS….

“PLAYGROUND is a rare opportunity where the campus community can behold the reservoir of talent, creativity and imagination within each drama student.  The demands of the projects create a rare platform where drama students move from simple masters of an individual discipline, to well rounded, multitasking theater artists.  I personally gained a sense of confidenceand empowerment, writing and performing my one man show, Meet Me In Iraq. In the end I was able to produce an effective piece of theater relevant to the social consciousness of the community, a key aspiration at the core of conservatory training and fine art.”

                                    Gaius Charles, actor, class of ‘05
                                    Currently starring in Friday Night Lights on NBC


 "The outstanding highlights of my education at Carnegie Mellon were my two Playground experiences.  The collaborative environment that Playground fostered was unmatched by class projects or even fully realized productions.

The high level of collaboration is a byproduct of Playground allowing students to create their own ad-hoc creative teams and then enabling these groups to produce an innovative artistic endeavor.  In addition, the broad assortment of works from original comedy and musical pieces to in-your-face street theatre and performance art was like a miniature fringe festival created by my colleagues, all within the walls of the Purnell center.

Beyond these aspects, I feel that the most compelling facet of the Playground experience was its ability to encourage students from all majors, options, and years to work together towards making something original, experimental and most of all, exciting." 

Noah Mitz, Lighting Design, Class of '05
Associate Lighting Director, Full Flood Inc.

“As an artist, PLAYGROUND has allowed me to pursue my creativity outside of our conservatory’s usual forms.  What’s important is that we are reminded that the work is always in our hands and that collaboration and the sharing of ideas is what fuels our industry.  I’ve realized that no true effort can lead to failure.”

                      Matt Burns, actor, class of ‘07


"PLAYGROUND was one of the most invaluable experiences I had at Carnegie Mellon University.  With PLAYGROUND I was able to test my limits and put my training to work.  While I spent four years concentrating on directing, here I was able to explore outside my option and put together my own one man show.  I was also able to collaborate with a young songwriting team from outside Carnegie Mellon to help develop a song cycle of their work. PLAYGROUND reminds us that theatre can be whatever you want it to be and that the possibilities are endless.”

                               Matt Gardiner, director, class of ‘06
                               Currently Resident Assistant Director at the Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C.


"This will be my fourth consecutive year participating in PLAYGROUND.  It is a one of a kind opportunity to create and participate in artistic expressions that I may not normally encounter while studying acting.  I had never considered writing theatrical material until I was given this great opportunity to create the kind of theater I have always wanted to see."

                 Jackson Corey, actor, class of ‘07


"PLAYGROUND opens the mind of the artist, who will always be a student, to the possibilities that surround them and may never have the opportunity to try elsewhere. It is a time during the scholastic year when students can collaborate with one another as artists, exchange ideas as artists, and share in the brilliance that is the creation of art with no limitations.”

                 Jon Brence, director, class of ‘08


"In an established theater institution where the very simple human heart of the theatrical experience is too easily lost amidst the rush of the rehearsal process and complexity of scenery and other modern production elements, it is with excitement and wonder that we welcome the fun and risk of PLAYGROUND, an event that delights in self made theatrical creations and one of a kind performances and projects.”

                  Adam Koch, designer, class of ‘07