PODCAST: Inside Berklee—Wanda Strukus

Wanda Strukus is a trailblazer. Since being appointed to lead Boston Conservatory’s new contemporary theater program in 2015, she’s been building it from the ground up. The second class of students has just begun the groundbreaking program and is eagerly pioneering right along with her.

For a multidisciplinary artist like Strukus, this is a dream job. She’s building a program that supports hybrid artists, emphasizes ensembles, and fosters the creation of new work. All the while, she’s not only preparing students for careers in the contemporary theater industry but also to be community builders and entrepreneurs. Students will gradate with foundational skills to equip them in all aspects of life. "One of the hallmarks of this program is that good artists are good citizens," she says. "Life is a group project, life is a team project, and so is theater." 

In this episode of Inside Berklee, Strukus talks about the state of contemporary theater, building a program from its infancy, and how the recent merger with Berklee is already opening up new possibilities for collaboration.

Producer: Lesley O'Connell
Engineer: Andres González Cardona
Recorded at the BIRN Studios