Furman University Launched Alumni-Led Theater Season

The department is celebrating the school's 200th anniversary by featuring exclusively alumni-written works.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Cultural

Furman University Launched Alumni-Led Theater Season

Live Poll

Should university theater departments prioritize staging plays written by their own alumni?

Furman University has launched a new theater season that exclusively features plays written by its alumni. Nearly 20 graduates are contributing to the programming, which includes a mix of new commissions and collaborations.

Why it matters

The season highlights the professional success of the school's performing arts graduates while marking the university's 200th anniversary. It serves as a homecoming for the talent that the university has fostered over the last two centuries.

The season highlights alumni like Kimberly Belflower, whose play 'John Proctor is the Villain' has secured 20 productions across the country for the 2026-27 season. Additionally, alumnus Seth Jones was recognized with a $10,000 Furman Fellow award in 2025.

The players

Furman University

This private liberal arts university located in Greenville is currently celebrating its 200th anniversary.

Kimberly Belflower

She is an alumna and playwright whose work John Proctor is the Villain is seeing national success.

Seth Jones

He is an alumnus and recipient of a $10,000 Furman Fellow award granted in 2025.

The Farm Theater

This organization partners with academic institutions through its College Collaboration Program to support the development of new plays.

The details

The theater department is partnering with The Farm Theater's College Collaboration Program to workshop new pieces, with alumni participating in cast, crew, production, and design teams. The season opens with 'Theatre/Theater' by Randall David Cook, followed by commissioned works such as 'This is How You Say I'm Sorry' by Imani-Grace King.

Seth Jones received a Furman Fellow award in 2025.
Kimberly Belflower's play will have 20 productions during the 2026-27 season.
The production of The Beheading of Helene Gillet is scheduled for February.
The Furman Fringe Festival will take place in April.

Industry Dynamics

This program aligns with a growing trend of academic theater departments bridging the gap between student work and professional industry standards. By focusing on alumni, Furman University effectively demonstrates the long-term career viability of its arts programs in a competitive entertainment market.

The public can attend these productions in Greenville, with specific plays scheduled for February and the Furman Fringe Festival in April. These events provide local residents and theater enthusiasts an opportunity to preview professional-grade works developed by the school's alumni network.

The takeaway

Alumni-driven programming offers a unique way for universities to connect their history with the current professional theater landscape. Aspiring playwrights can look to these successes as a roadmap for developing and workshopping their own original works.