Our History
More than 75 years of stories worth telling.
TSU Theatre
The history of TSU Theatre is a story of vision, resilience, and artistic excellence. Since the founding of the University Players in 1949 under the leadership of Professor Ollington Smith, the program has educated generations of performers, directors, designers, educators, and arts leaders. Guided by dedicated faculty—including Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard, whose decades of leadership shaped the department—the program has maintained a tradition of producing diverse theatrical works while fostering creativity, scholarship, and community engagement. Today, we proudly build upon that foundation, honoring our rich history while preparing the next generation of artists, educators, and creative leaders for an ever-evolving theatrical landscape."You wonder where the years go, then you are reminded, there is so much work to be
done that time passes and you barely know it until one day you look up and you are
still here."
— Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard
Professor of Theatre and Dean Emerita