DUNMORE, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A new chapter in the arts is taking center stage at Marywood University.
The university launched its new School of Communication while welcoming the Scranton Shakespeare Festival as its resident professional theatre company. The partnership will bring professional productions, hands-on learning, and new opportunities for students and the community to campus.
The school houses programs in theatre, film and television, multimedia, music production, journalism, and more.
School of Communication Director Dr. Lindsey Wotanis and Marywood President Lisa Lori said the partnership will give students valuable hands-on experience working alongside professional actors, directors, and other theatre professionals.
“They already have such great opportunity here at Marywood. But this just kind of takes it off the charts. They’re going to have access to professionals. We’re working in the field. They’re going to be able to be in professional performances and networking. That’s really just going to help launch them afterward to great careers,” said Wotanis.
“It’s a very energetic moment. I think the energy on campus having Scranton Shakespeare is going to mean a lot. And just seeing them walking across campus and being able to just talk and network,” said Lori.
After wrapping up its 15th season, the Scranton Shakespeare Festival is looking to broaden its community reach while creating a permanent home to grow its performances and educational programs. Dawn McGurl shared more.
“It gives us a new home, which is awesome. And also access to the students here at Marywood, which is amazing for us. We love to welcome new voices and these learning minds are phenomenal to have as a part of our organization now at least intersecting with our organization. So, we’re really happy,” said McGurl.
With a new dedicated space, Scranton Shakespeare Festival members can work alongside Marywood students, creating more opportunities for education, professional practice, and performance. Director of Education for the Scranton Shakespeare Festival, Lizzie Newcomb Gumula, said the collaboration is something to look forward too.
“I’m really excited for what opportunities we can bring to our current students who are mostly high schoolers. And we love the prospect of having mentorship from college students and introducing them to our high school students to kind of have that cross collaboration from different age groups is always super important in theater. And to have them have a hub here on Marywood that they can explore, will be very exciting. And I’m really excited to meet all the Marywood students and to help give them opportunities on the ground in theater, doing what they love,” said Newcomb Gumula.
President Lori also announced plans for summer 2027, when students will collaborate on a redesign of the university’s Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Theatre that will later be submitted for a national competition.