Shakespeare at CMU

Archival Images of Past Productions

Richard III (Produced by School of Drama, 2009-10)

Carnegie Mellon University has a long-standing relationship with the works of William Shakespeare. Design School Theatre (now Kresge Theater in the College of Fine Art building) was formally dedicated on Shakespeare’s birthday (April 23, 1914) with a performance of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." The production was also the first by students in the Department of Drama. The historic event featured elaborate costumes designed by students of the Margaret Morrison Carnegie School, scenery constructed by the School of Applied Design (now the School of Design) and music from the Symphony Orchestra of the Department of Music.

This was only the beginning. The bard has since been featured many times over more than a century in various School of Drama productions. Below are some of the highlights found by Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections Julia Corrin in the University Archives.

For more Shakespeare, visit Hunt Library Gallery for "Inventing Shakespeare: Text, Technology, and the Four Folios,” now extended to March 16, 2024.

We're also excited to announce "From Stage to Page: 400 Years of Shakespeare in Print" at the Frick Art Museum has been extended to March 10, 2024.