In Memory of Professor Latrelle Bright
Beloved mentor and teacher, creative inspiration, esteemed collaborator, and community galvanizer, Professor Latrelle Bright connected and uplifted so many in the Champaign- Urbana and university communities. As a stage director and educator, she profoundly affected students with her generous guidance and bold, creative leadership. Through her work in the department and in the community, she sowed deep-rooted and vibrant connections and sparked creative and social alliances that will endure and continue to flourish.
Bright’s celebrated Theatre productions include Kate Hamill’s Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really; Jen Silverman’s Witch; Lynn Nottage’s Sweat; The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time based on Mark Haddon’s novel; and Cabaret (a co-production with Lyric Theatre and Dance); among many others. As an educator, she worked to expand the available courses in the Theatre Studies program and was a tireless advocate for her students. She strongly advocated for new work development programs and had special interest in developing new work connecting social justice and the environment, particularly at the intersection of Black lives, and worked with theatres and institutions to develop her methods of co-creation.
Latrelle passed away after a brief illness in September and was honored at a celebration of life in late October at the Arboretum and Krannert Center. She had a profound and lasting impact on the Champaign-Urbana theatrical communities, and nearly all who worked within those communities were touched by her efforts.
The Latrelle Bright Memorial Scholarship Fund suppor ts scholarships for undergraduate students in the Illinois Theatre acting program with financial need. If you would like to make a gift in memory of Professor Bright, visit go.illinois.edu/LatrelleBright.