How the Drama Program is progressing without the University Players
It’s been exactly two years since University Players hosted their final play, Little Women, on stage, putting the beloved performing arts theatre to the grave. What was a pivotal part of the acting program here at the University of Windsor now remains unused. The tragic news first exploded back in the summer of 2024 and has since fizzled out, becoming a dying quieted conversation—but the impact hasn’t.
It seemed like the strongest vein, pumping blood to the heart of the School of Dramatic Arts, now it’s severed and the program is learning to breathe without it.
With no traditional in-house place to rehearse, hammer, paint, or light, it has taken practical experience from students that desire to be on the stage or behind it. It has taken away community from those who enjoy watching in front of the stage. There is a missing space to provide Windsor with quality entertainment and a designated outlet for the theatrical talent here at the university. We’ve lost a valuable service, and our past graduates agree too.
“It’s devastating that the University Players shut down”, says Sammy Cranston, BFA graduate from the class of 2021. “The University of Windsor is the oldest acting school in Ontario, and it used to be highly competitive because of UP! I can still see and feel the strength it gave me in audition rooms and rehearsal spaces. It should have never shut down. Art always suffers first.”
Jackson Balint, a 2024 graduate, echoes that frustration.
“I felt it prepared me for the acting industry perfectly. It’s a known statement that Windsor grads know how to use their voice. When Players closed, I and many others felt betrayed by the school. It was done with zero consideration for the students and professors, and the staff who helped run the entire process of building and executing a show.”
In response, the university has emphasized that, “We are committed to ensuring that all students continue to receive the necessary credits and experiential learning opportunities required for graduation. Alternative programming and updated course offerings will be provided to meet these needs.”
Curious to learn more about the new structure, I turned to current second-year drama, student Abbey Aitken, to give insight on the program without UP.
“One of the reasons I chose U of Windsor was University Players, collaborating with professionals, and putting on full-length productions. That was my dream,” she says. “UP was still open after we accepted our offers. The faculty did call us personally to break the news, which I appreciated, but it still stung because they probably knew long before we made the choice. Losing UP was a huge loss not only for the stage space but losing industry professionals.”
Abbey adds that third- and fourth-year students participate in two plays in their first semester and two plays in their second semester using the Hatch. “The Hatch is a thrust stage as opposed to the traditional stage which is more technically challenging for us students,” she says.
Important to note that the Hatch Studio Theatre can only hold a max capacity of 86 spectators whereas University Players could hold 323. Quite the difference.
“We still do a lot of work at the school, but we’re encouraged more to create and find our own art which is very valuable,” Abbey shares.
The Players’ last production, Little Women, was preserved in documentary form by Sean Thrawn O’Neil, past University of Windsor CMF graduate. It was officially selected to be a part of WIFF (Windsor International Film festival) in 2024. Tears were shed in the Capitol Theatre as it revealed the full eight weeks of rehearsal, set creation, and costume design, ending with some footage of what would be unbeknownst to them as their final show on that stage. Watch for free through this link to once again see the historical training ground: https://youtu.be/kYoMy9SaBGk.
The documentary captures the end of an era.
Another legacy gone.
Spaces for students are disappearing and it’s up to us to advocate in hopes of bringing it back.
I wonder if the ghost light still shines.
Interested in seeing a show in the Hatch and speaking with more drama students about the program? Come to both shows, Hello Again the musical and Blue Room, no pun intended, on April 4th and 5th for FREE!
Make it stand out
Interested in seeing a show in the Hatch and speaking with more drama students about the program? Come to both shows, Hello Again the musical and Blue Room, no pun intended, on April 4th and 5th for FREE!
