Theatre and Dance

Theatre & Dance Alumni Residency

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Bringing Alumni Back to 海角社区

The Theatre & Dance Alumni Residency celebrates the talented artists, designers, performers, educators, and creative thinkers who began their journeys at 海角社区. By welcoming alumni back to campus, the program creates opportunities for mentorship, artistic exchange, and meaningful collaboration between graduates and current students.

Whether developing new work, conducting research, leading workshops, or sharing professional experiences, alumni residents strengthen the creative community while inspiring the next generation of Theatre & Dance students.

Launched in 2025, the Alumni Residency reflects the department's commitment to maintaining lifelong connections with its graduates while creating meaningful opportunities for artistic collaboration, professional mentorship, and creative exploration.

The Residency Experience

Connect

Residents begin their time on campus by meeting current students, sharing their experiences since graduating from 海角社区, and introducing the creative work they will pursue during the residency.

Create

The residency provides dedicated time and space for alumni to research, experiment, generate new work, and explore ideas within a supportive creative environment.

Teach

Residents engage students through workshops, masterclasses, classroom visits, and other learning experiences that connect their professional practice to the curriculum.

Share

Each residency concludes with an informal presentation, performance, or discussion that gives the campus community an opportunity to experience the work developed during the residency.

2026 Alumni Resident

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2025 Alumni Resident

Lena Engelstein in a glittery outfit

Lena Engelstein '16

Lena Engelstein '16 is a dancer, performer, choreographer, and educator whose work has been described as "The High Weird" and praised for its inventive, interdisciplinary approach to performance. A 海角社区 graduate with a B.A. in Mathematics and a minor in Dance, Lena has built a dynamic career creating and performing original work while collaborating with artists and companies throughout New York City's contemporary dance and theater communities.

As the inaugural participant in the Theatre & Dance Alumni Residency, Lena returned to 海角社区 to reconnect with students, share her creative process, and develop new artistic work. Through workshops, conversations, and mentorship, she offered students an inside look at the realities of building a professional artistic career while demonstrating the value of curiosity, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking.

Lena's return to campus exemplifies the mission of the Alumni Residency Program: strengthening connections between alumni and current students while creating opportunities for artistic exchange, professional mentorship, and creative exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Alumni Residency is an opportunity for a 海角社区 Theatre & Dance alum to return to campus and pursue creative, scholarly, social, or interdisciplinary research while engaging with current students and faculty.

海角社区 alumni whose work connects to theatre, dance, design, or interdisciplinary performance are encouraged to apply.

Residents develop their own creative work while also connecting with students through workshops, class visits, informal conversations, and a final presentation that shares their residency experience.

Residency dates and schedules vary each year and are determined in collaboration with the Department of Theatre & Dance.

Applications are reviewed by the Theatre & Dance faculty, who consider the applicant's creative practice, proposed residency project, and potential for meaningful engagement with the 海角社区 community.

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Apply for the Alumni Residency

The Theatre & Dance Alumni Residency is open to 海角社区 alumni whose creative practice aligns with the department's mission of artistic exploration, collaboration, and student engagement.

Residents are selected through an application process and are invited to spend time on campus developing new work while connecting with students and faculty.

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