University of Denver Launches the Lamont School of Music & Theatre

The University of Denver College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences announces the creation of the Lamont School of Music & Theatre, which brings together two longstanding performing arts programs into a unified school dedicated to educating the next generation of musicians, actors, directors, designers, composers, technicians, and scholars. 

The Lamont School of Music & Theatre will strengthen opportunities for shared learning and creative partnership while preserving the unique identity, traditions, and strengths of both music and theatre. Brian Pertl, who has led Lamont since 2025, will serve as Director of the Lamont School of Music & Theatre. 

For students, the new school expands opportunities to work together across disciplines. They will have greater opportunities to work together on productions and creative projects, thereby graduating with the collaborative skills increasingly valued in today's performing arts profession. Students will continue to study with world-class faculty and will have access to the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, one of the nation's premier university performing arts facilities. 

While the new academic structure will be fully implemented in the 2027–28 academic year, prospective students applying during the 2026–27 admission cycle will see the new Lamont School of Music & Theatre identity reflected across recruitment materials, the school's website, and communications. 

"This is an extraordinary opportunity to uplift creativity and innovation in our performing arts curriculum," said Brian Pertl. "The future of the performing arts is interdisciplinary collaboration. The merger sets Lamont up to be a national leader in this area.” 

"Theatre is rooted in collaboration and the synthesis of diverse ideas and voices," said Anne Penner, Chair of the Department of Theatre. "This new school creates energizing opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to engage with colleagues in Music. We will preserve the distinctive strengths of our Theatre programs while creating new opportunities for partnership, innovative curriculum, and interdisciplinary teaching and learning.” 

The Lamont School of Music & Theatre will continue to offer comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for careers in performance, conducting, directing, composition, design, recording and production, scholarship, teaching, arts leadership, and other creative professions. 

This announcement is one of several initiatives emerging from the University's broader Academic Transformation effort, which seeks to strengthen academic programs through innovation, collaboration, and student-centered learning.  

"The creation of the Lamont School of Music & Theatre demonstrates how dedicated academic evolution can strengthen both the student experience and the University's impact," said Elizabeth G. Loboa, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor. "A unified vision that connects education, artistic excellence, and community engagement creates a more powerful learning environment and better reflects the collaborative future of the performing arts." 

The formation of an integrated performing arts school aligns with the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences' continued commitment to interdisciplinary learning, experiential education, and preparing students for meaningful careers in a rapidly evolving world. “The Lamont School of Music & Theatre reflects the kind of thoughtful, forward-looking change I have seen across this college,” said Sahara Byrne, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. “By uniting two remarkable programs, we are giving students more ways to create together while strengthening DU’s place as a destination for the performing arts.” 

The Lamont School of Music & Theatre will continue to present hundreds of performances and events each year, welcoming audiences from across the Denver region while serving as a hub for creativity, education, and community engagement. 

More information about the Lamont School of Music & Theatre is available at du.edu/lamont.  

About the Lamont School of Music & Theatre 

The Lamont School of Music & Theatre is part of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Denver. Lamont prepares students to become exceptional performers, creators, educators, scholars, and arts leaders. Through personalized mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to world-class facilities, students develop the artistic, intellectual, and entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive in today's performing arts landscape.