Young people throughout the region will experience the wonder of live performance through a new UMass Lowell program that draws on the creative strengths of the university, Middlesex Community College and Merrimack Repertory Theatre.

A theatre arts collaboration between Haverhill High School and UMass Lowell, led by alumna Melissa Allen ’15 and Prof. Shelley Barish, serves as a bridge to college for young students.

Rae Mansfield, associate director for honors scholarship and curriculum, recently co-authored “Theatre for Lifelong Learning,” a guide for teaching and creating theater with older adults.

This year, the Nancy L. Donahue Celebration of the Arts celebrated the Lowell philanthropist’s $2 million donation to renovate Durgin Concert Hall. It is only her latest gift to the university.

When the stage went dark as the pandemic arrived, UML's student-run theater group, Off-Broadway Players, took up radio theater to interpret plays. They're airing this month on WUML.

Students practice assessment, critical thinking and communication skills via videoconferencing with the help of student actors.