Students leaned into the theatre experience, seeing at least 17 productions during their London trip.
It wasn’t just the chance to earn summertime academic credit that inspired Emma Magner ’24 to join “UMW Theatre in London,” a three-week immersion in one of the world’s greatest and most historic theatre cities.
“We do earn six credits for going on the trip,” Magner said, “but I signed up for the experience of being abroad in London and the opportunities to see amazing shows and to learn more about the history of theatre.”
Led by Assistant Professor of Theatre Marc Williams, the trip was packed with performances, theatre history and other cultural opportunities. Students took a behind-the-scenes tour of William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and visited Shakespeare’s birthplace, baptismal church and burial site in Stratford-upon-Avon.
They attended 17 plays and musicals as a group, then sought out additional performances to see on their own. To encourage deeper reflection, Williams asked participants to wait 24 hours after each performance before discussing what they’d seen, heard and experienced.
The London trip was just one of several summer study-abroad experiences led by UMW faculty and facilitated by the Center for International Education (CIE). This season’s programs and destinations – some still ongoing – include ancient and early modern empires in Italy; cultural tours of France; digital production, international business and historic preservation in Paris, France; and an exploration of the cities and culture of Spain. Read more.