Seats in Rotunda Theatre will be empty this year as the curtains close on student productions.
Students were notified on July 22 by the Director of the DAN School of Drama and Music, Julia Brook, the Rotunda Theatre, one of the only on campus theatre spaces, is no longer hosting student productions, according to an email obtained by The Journal.
“I am writing to inform you that, after much consideration, the DAN School is no longer able to rent the Rotunda to events that require technical staff. I recognize that [student groups] have a long history of using our spaces for their performances, but unfortunately, we no longer have that capacity,” Brook said.
The Journal reached out to the University for confirmation, but they were unable to comment in time for publication. The Rotunda Theatre inside Theological Hall has been home to many student productions, including performances by Queen’s Musical Theatre (QMT), a club providing students with opportunities for education and community for over 55 years.
According to the President of QMT Robert Herz, Comm ’25, the student-run club has been renting out the Rotunda Theatre for the past 10 years. After paying the DAN School over $9,000 in venue fees and $3,000 dollars in equipment rentals to host their productions of The Prom and The Addams Family last year, QMT will no longer have access to the venue for their performances.
This announcement came after QMT had already confirmed two performances in the Rotunda Theatre this fall and winter, leaving them with limited venue options.
“Since 1969, Queen’s Musical Theatre has offered all Queen’s students a safe community to express themselves through a medium they love. While we recognize the pressure that led to this decision, it is regrettable that we were informed after our capacity to pivot to another venue had ed,” said QMT Board of Directors in a statement to The Journal.
Students suspect the decision to close the Rotunda Theatre is connected to the University’s financial woes.
READ MORE: Music school next victim of University’s budget cuts
In January, the University announced it would be making cuts to 12 music courses that don’t meet the mandated minimum course enrollment of 10 students. The cuts include both mandatory and elective courses offered to music and non-music majors.
“Although the department’s decision may seem abrupt, we understand they were made under immense pressure from the University to implement financial cuts. However, we want to clarify that the DAN School is not a financial burden on the University,” Rachel Rusonik, ArtSci ’26, and Giselle Castillejos, ConEd ’26, co-presidents of the DAN Department Student Council, said in a statement to The Journal.
“Historically and still, our department has been a strong net contributor to the financial health of [the Faculty of] Arts and Science, bringing in great revenue, and we ask that budgeting reflects this. Without the arts, Queen’s loses a vital channel for expression, creativity, and cultural understanding. They are essential to our identity and growth, and must prioritize them,” Rusonik and Castillejos added.
Rusonik and Castillejos reassure students they’re working to find alternative venues and solutions so student productions can continue to flourish.
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