Cultural Programs
Many diverse and exciting cultural programs are offered throughout the year at Kean University. Numerous concerts, lectures, plays, films, dance programs and bus trips are scheduled to enhance a student’s educational experience.
Kean Stage, the University's professional presenting arts series, features a world-class lineup of professional artists, including Broadway legends, classical music, rock and roll, comedy, dance, and music in the prestigious Enlow Recital Hall and the large touring venue, the Wilkins Theatre. The On School Time Series includes an assortment of entertaining shows for the family. Kean Stage also supports the Distinguished Lecture Series, which brings renewed speakers to Kean's campus. For more information on Kean Stage events, please visit: https://www.kean.edu/kean-stage
Kean’s professional Equity theatre company in residence, Premiere Stages, offers a comprehensive season of world premieres (new plays) and NJ premieres, numerous education initiatives for on-campus and off-campus partners, and professional development opportunities for Kean University students. Premiere provides master classes and student enhancement projects through their Premiere Artist and Play Factory programs, including the Bauer Boucher Awards - two cash prizes awarded annually to a promising Kean student playwright and an emerging alumni playwright. Kean students also receive priority consideration for Premiere's highly competitive summer intern program and gain valuable experience/contacts working with union actors and professional directors, designers and playwrights. For more information, please visit: https://premierestagesatkean.com
The Kean Theatre Conservatory presents outstanding productions each semester with high production values and examples of students' pre-professional performance skills. Recent past productions include: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Seagull, Working, Godspell, Animal Farm, and Once on This Island. For more information, please visit: https://www.kean.edu/academics/programs/theatre
The Kean Theatre Council is a student-run organization that sponsors cabarets, staged readings, social events, Broadway bus trips, and an annual fully-mounted production produced, directed, designed, and performed by students from across the University.
Kean's Dance Minor provides exposure to dance studies and experience in a wide variety of dance techniques. For more information, please visit: https://www.kean.edu/academics/college-liberal-arts/dance-minor.
The Music Conservatory offers many concerts and recitals throughout the year. Students perform in the Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Men’s Chorus, and Women’s Chorus. Renowned artists are also introduced to students through student engagement projects sponsored by Kean Stage. For more information, please visit: https://www.kean.edu/music-conservatory
Kean University has a rich and diverse exhibition program. Our shows often integrate the visual arts with various academic programs throughout the university. Exhibitions in the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery highlight cultural issues and are interdisciplinary in nature. The Human Rights Institute Gallery features shows related to human rights violations and victories around the world. The Nancy Dryfoos Gallery is a strong venue for regional artists and alumni exhibitions. As an educational resource, we regularly feature the work of faculty and students in the James Howe Gallery. Many students get their first opportunity to exhibit their work at the Student Gallery. At Kean University, we believe that art can be an effective vehicle for social change and in building awareness of critical world issues For more information, please visit: https://galleries.kean.edu