The Revolutionists, Nebraska Wesleyan University’s current theatre production, doesn’t come to life overnight. The transformation takes several weeks – much of it behind the scenes.
This production is a testament to the collaboration between NWU students and five guest professionals, who have shared their expertise inspiring the next generation of theater makers.
"Theater is about collaboration," Leigh Walter (’13), the guest director from New York City, says. "It’s about bringing people together to create something bigger than any one of us could do on our own. I’m not here to tell students exactly what to do. I’m here to help them discover their own voices and guide them toward something we can all be proud of."
Walter’s career as a freelance director, producer, and stage manager has taken her from the smallest underground theaters to the stages of Lincoln Center and New York Theater Workshop. Walter says returning to NWU to direct a production was more than just a professional opportunity—it was a homecoming.
"I had such an amazing experience here as a student," she says. “NWU is all about learning by doing. By the time I graduated, I had worked on over forty shows. That’s what prepared me for New York. When you’re out there, it’s the same thing—hustling, working on project after project. This place teaches you how to survive as an artist."
Austin Meuck is the guest scenic designer from Phoenix, Ariz. “I love working with students," he says. "They’re eager to learn, and being part of their educational journey is rewarding. It’s not just about getting the work done but about teaching them why we do things the way we do."
Meuck says students are exposed to new ideas, new methods and new ways of thinking. "Everyone’s process is different," Meuck says. "Working with guest artists teaches students that there isn’t a single right way to make theater. It prepares them for the professional world where flexibility and creativity are key."
Students aren’t just building a set or rehearsing lines—they are learning the craft from people who had lived it and gone on to do remarkable things. "It’s about more than just putting on a play," Meuck says. "It’s about giving these students the tools they need to succeed, whether that’s in theater or whatever they choose to pursue."
Tickets are available for The Revolutionists, which runs through Sunday, September 22, 2024.