Letter from the Chair

The Department of Performing Arts at Georgetown University lives in the intersection of artistic practice and liberal arts education. Our department comprises four areas of study: Music, Theater and Performance Studies, Dance, and Public Speaking. While each has its disciplinary history, they share a common thread: the exploration of embodiment and performance. The Davis Performing Arts Center and McNeir Hall are at the heart of our department, hubs of creativity, community, and collaboration. These spaces serve as laboratories for our students and faculty and as venues for the diverse performances by world-class artists we host throughout the academic year.

Our continued vision is to interweave the performing arts with Georgetown’s esteemed liberal arts tradition. We encourage our students to forge unexpected connections between their artistic practices and other disciplines, from Government to Biology, Economics to Theology. This interdisciplinary approach prepares our students as artists and creative thinkers equipped to address complex global challenges.

A key initiative for 2024–25 is our new Performing Arts Colloquium. This one-credit course explores the intersections of music, theater, dance, and public speaking, serving as a hub for interdisciplinary artistic exploration and development. Colloquia events are open to anyone.

Our commitment to diversity and social justice continues to drive our programming. This fall, we’re hosting a residency with LubDub Theatre, a New York-based company founded by Georgetown alums, to develop an eco-play addressing critical global issues. The Friday Music Series showcases a range of talents, from the unique sounds of Czech cimbalom virtuoso Matej Čip to the unorthodox guitarist Yasmin Williams and acclaimed soprano Melissa Wimbish, offering a diverse musical experience that reflects our commitment to presenting an array of artistic voices.

In the current global context, the arts play a crucial role in fostering understanding, promoting well-being, and driving economic and social progress. This year’s Season of Radical Care responds to these challenges—it’s our commitment to nurture creativity, build community, and envision an equitable future for the performing arts. We invite you to engage with our new initiatives. Attend a workshop or Friday colloquium, participate in a collaborative project, or experience a work-in-progress. Join us in supporting the arts and witnessing their capacity to create a more connected world.

Benjamin J. Harbert, Ph.D.

Chair and Professor of Music, Department of Performing Arts.