Sock and Buskin (Brown University)

Sock and Buskin is the faculty-student board that selects and produces theatrical productions at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1901 by Thomas Crosby, a professor in the university's English department, it has maintained an unbroken string of performance seasons since being established. Originally founded as an all-male organization, Sock and Buskin became a co-educational group in 1927 when it merged with an all-female theatre troupe from nearby Pembroke College. Sock and Buskin performances are currently held in the Catherine Bryan Dill Center for the Performing Arts.

Each year, Sock and Buskin chooses four plays or musicals to be produced during the following academic year. Find out more about sock and buskin at www.sockandbuskin.org

Current Season

The 2014-15 Sock&Buskin Season is as follows:


Sweeney Todd, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | book by Hugh Wheeler

directed by Curt Columbus

Sept. 25-28 and Oct. 2-5


HYPE HERO, by Dominic Taylor MFA Brown '95

directed by Kym Moore

Oct. 30-Nov. 2 and Nov. 6-9


HEIST PLAY, written and directed by Skylar Fox '15 Brown

Dec. 4-7


TWELFTH NIGHT, by William Shakespeare

directed by Jane Nichols

Feb. 26-Mar. 1 and Mar. 5-8


410[GONE], by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig '05 Brown

directed by Erik Ehn

Apr. 2-5 and 9-12

What the Board Does

The student board meets twice a week during the academic year. In addition to conducting production business, the board discusses 1-3 plays each week that have been assigned by the literary chair. Discussions are open to the public. Discussion notes for each play, as well as a running list of all works read, are posted on the s&b webpage: www.sockandbuskin.org.

Twice a month, the faculty join the students for a full board 'pitch meeting.' At these meetings, smaller groups of students pitch the plays they are most interested in pursuing further. Faculty members who are potential directors for the following season also pitch plays that they are particularly interested. A list of 'pitched plays' can be found online as well. Usually 2-3 pitches happen during one meeting, for a total of 4-6 pitches every month.

Toward the end of the year, the entire board convenes in an all-day meeting to narrow down the list of pitched plays to a finalized season of four plays/musicals.

Two board members serve as Executive Producers of each mainstage show — supporting the production in a variety of ways. In addition, each board member has an office and a specific set of duties.

Current Members

Celeste Cahn '15 | academic outreach chair

Charlotte Delpit '15 |

Skylar Fox '15 |

Miranda Friel '15.5 |

Alanna Hoffman '15 |

Sam Keamy-Minor '16 |

Crystal Kim '16 |

Gabriel Lozada '15 | literary chair

Patrick Madden '15 | chair

Dylan Platt '15 |

Grant Glovin '15|

Nika Salazar '16 |

Kate Telma '15 |

Jackson Usher '15 |

Sienna Vann '17 |

References