School of Drama

Bruce Lee was renowned for being many things: one of the greatest martial artists of all time, mentor, instructor, and all-star actor. He was also a devout, loving father, as well as a philosopher. Lesser known is that he was a student of the University of Washington, where he studied drama and philosophy. Beloved by our community, his legacy is now reinstated at the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, where his personal collection of over 2,800 books and thoughtfully curated achievements will remain on permanent display for decades to come.

“Seattle is perfectly positioned to have a thriving fringe theater scene,” said Nikki Yeboah, who last year became the University of Washington School of Drama’s new assistant professor of playwriting, the school’s first full-time faculty hire in playwriting since 1993. “That’s an amazing opportunity for artists to make works that are nontraditional or challenging or different.”

The 1998 drama graduate receives the nation's highest poetry honor.

Ada Limón, a UW School of Drama alum, is the 24th U.S. poet laureate.

Ada Limón, a UW School of Drama alum, is the 24th U.S. poet laureate.

Four Dean's Medalists were selected by the College of Arts & Sciences for their varied and impressive work as UW undergraduates. 

Kemi Adeyemi, Jasmine Mahmoud, and Nikki Yeboah first met as PhD students in Chicago. Now they pursue scholarship in support of Black arts as UW faculty.

Crosscut interviewed the UW's Kemi Adeyemi, associate professor of gender, women and sexuality studies, and Jasmine Mahmoud, assistant professor of theater history and performance studies, about the role that the arts have played in their lives, their aims for Black Arts Legacies and what they hope the audience will take away from the project.

Celebrate Pride Month and the history, progress and power of the LGBTQIA+ community through a collection of works by College of Arts & Sciences faculty, students and alumni.

Arts & Sciences alum Simon Tran says meeting with Barack Obama to discuss careers in public service was "easily the most surreal experience I've ever had."

Despite the pandemic, Darby Sherwood (BA, Drama; Political Science minor, 2022) graduated with a robust resume that includes directing, acting, and playwriting experience.

UW Drama professor Valerie Curtis-Newton (MFA, 1996), who will present the University Faculty Lecture on May 3, has been stirring up "good trouble" and courageously unmasking uncomfortable truths for decades. 

Jasmine Mahmoud, assistant professor of theatre history and performance studies, curated the inaugural art exhibition at the new Mini Mart City Park.

An Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant helps UW students harness the power of creativity.

This week, attend gallery exhibitions and the latest Grit City Think and Drink, watch recorded events, and more.