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Brandon LaReau

Blurred image of the arch used as background for stylistic purposes.
Assistant Professor, Florida State University (PhD Performance Studies, 2023)

Born and raised in Virginia, LaReau is a performer, director, dramaturg, and scholar with a unique combination of applicable skills gained in the sales world. Focusing on intercultural performance, race, and opera, LaReau's work investigates the ways the racialized Other is portrayed on opera stages. In addition to cultivating diverse theatre and opera audiences, LaReau also enjoys politics, museums, and a nice Oloroso sherry. When not working on research, LaReau can be found at the gym, a UGA football game, or a golf course. 

Education:

 

BA - Musical Theatre and Dance - Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virginia (2014)

MFA - Theatre Pedagogy - Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (2019)  

 

 

Selected Publications:

 

Book Review, A Critical Companion to the American Stage Musical by Elizabeth Wollman, New England Theatre Journal 31 (2020): 167-187.

Performance Review, "Paris Opera and Lotte de Beer's New Production of Aida, Theatre Journal 73, 4 (2021): 566-568. 10.1353/tj.2021.0115

Article, “Soliman's Legacy: What Mozart has to Teach Us About Race in Musical Theatre", Musical Theatre Studies 15, 3 (2021): 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1386/smt_00072_1

Of note:

 

2018-2019 Graduate Student University Service recognition, Virginia Commonwealth University

2019 Richmond Theatre Critic's Circle Award, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical

Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC) Ad Hoc Planning Committee (2021-present)

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Conference Presentation, "The Costume as Character: A Critical Exploration of Lynn Nottage's Use of Textiles in Intimate Apparel", Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC): Chicago, 2019.

Conference Presentation,"Staging the Racialized Other: Jonson, Mozart, and the Short Distance from Masque to Opera", Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE): Virtual, 2021.

Conference Presentation, “The Gap between Fetishization and Fascination: Ownership of Body and Mind in Mozart's Vienna and Beyond", Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE): Virtual, 2021.

Conference Presentation, "Revolution, Justice Screaming for Solution: Seeing Relevance and Urgency in Jonathan Larson's RENT Through the Eyes of Generation Z", Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC): Cleveland, 2022.

Interests:

Ancient Egypt on stage in opera, propaganda in the Ancient World, Edward W. Said,  musical theatre, Mozart and Verdi 

Articles Featuring Brandon LaReau

Athens, GA—UGA Theatre is proud to present “Rent”, with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, directed by Brandon LaReau. Performances will be held in the Fine Arts Theatre November 4-5 and 10-13 at 8 p.m. and…

FALL 2021 AUDITIONS: Euripides’ Alcestis & Rent

Department of Theatre & Film Studies, University of Georgia

(Please read entire post)

Events featuring Brandon LaReau
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Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

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Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

, , , , , ,
Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

, , , , , ,
Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

, , , , , ,
Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

, , , , , ,
Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

, , , , , ,
Fine Arts Theatre

Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning reimagining of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” comes to the Fine Arts stage for the first time ever. Rent follows a group of destitute artists as they struggle with their careers, relationships, and the pervading reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on their community. For over 25 years, the…

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