After more than half a century without one, Wilkes has a theatre club officially returning to campus.
The original club, known as Cue ‘n Curtain, was founded in 1943 and served as a theatrical outlet for students
at Wilkes.

While the new organization is currently operating under the title of “Theatre Club,” there are hopes to eventually reclaim the historic name or nickname in honor of its roots.

The previous iteration of the club dissolved in 1970, leaving a noticeable gap in opportunities for students interested in theatre outside of the academic department.

The club’s revival began when Ella Villani, a junior musical theatre major and the club’s president, started looking for ways to fundraise for SETC, a theatre conference where musical theatre majors travel to Tennessee and audition for various theatre companies.

After reaching out to Dr. Jon Liebetrau, chair of the Division of Performing Arts for advice, she was encouraged to pursue fundraising
through a student organization. That suggestion quicklygrew into something bigger: the realization that many students had been craving a creative, low-pressure theatre space that existed beyond classes and productions tied to the department.

The goal of the Theatre Club is to create an inclusive environment for students of all experiencelevels who love theatre, performance, and
collaboration. While the club hopes to eventually produce a full show, current restrictions mean that a traditional
production is not yet possible. Even so, the year is shaping up to be full of exciting events. Plans include open mics, karaoke nights, workshops for new works, collaborative writing sessions with peer feedback and maybe even a Shakespeare-with-no-rehearsal or 24-hour production challenge.

Looking ahead, Villani’s biggest hope is to end the year with a cabaret-style showcase on the Greenway, where every member can perform a song, scene, monologue, or original piece.

With deep nostalgic roots and a fresh, student-driven vision, the return of the Theatre Club marks an exciting
new chapter for campus creativity and community. Anyone who has questions or is interested in joining the Theatre Club, can contact Ella Villani at [email protected].