By Bryson Carter

This year, our school of theatre has a new head of the musical theatre department. Greensboro College had many excellent candidates and many lengthy interviews and workshops to determine who would take the place of the late Wm. Perry Morgan Hall.

Ultimately, the board decided that the best candidate was Professor Desiree Dabney.

Dabney is an award-winning actor, director, producer, theatre director and activist who has
worked in many places across the country. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2014 and then proceeded to earn her Master of Teaching from the University of Richmond in Virginia. She has directed over 100 productions and has received many distinguished awards and accomplishments including Shenandoah University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022 and a feature in NBC12’s Distinguished Black History Tribute in 2024. Her dynamic and enthusiastic directing style as well as her mentorship and leadership capabilities are truly what make her the perfect fit for our department.

Dabney’s performing journey began at the age of 3 when she played Mouse No. 3 in “The Pied
Piper.” She grew up in a very musical household which inspired her love for the arts.

“My childhood was filled with lots of theatre, music and competitive dance,” she stated. “Those experiences helped shape the artist and educator I am today.”

From there, her theatre escapades and love of the arts only flourished. Her extensive resume has a plethora of opportunities and experiences that truly make her stand out.

“There have been so many highlights throughout my career,” she recalls. “Performing as Caroline in “Caroline, Or Change” was incredibly meaningful to me.”

Before ending up at Greensboro College, she also made a huge impact in education. She was the first Black Head of Musical Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University, which was an incredible accomplishment.

“Leading the musical theatre program at VCU was an incredible opportunity,” she stated. “The work we were doing received national recognition. It represented so much more than a professional accomplishment for me; it was an opportunity to create space, open doors and show students what is possible.”

Her impact in education eventually led her to apply for and earn a position at Greensboro College. Though she is new to the school, she is already learning a lot about the school and its environment.

“I love the community,” she commented. “Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and it is
clear that this is a community that genuinely cares about not only its students, but especially about the arts.”

The community she has walked into has caused her to have lots of excitement about her future at the school and the potential for the program.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to grow the musical theatre program,” she said. “I want to create meaningful experiences both inside and outside the classroom. I want Greensboro College to continue being a place where students receive strong training, feel supported and know that they belong.”

Her Greensboro College directorial debut will be “Jazzaret” happening this fall. This jazz cabaret will have many popular jazz standards including hits like “It Don’t Mean A Thing,” “Feeling Good” and “My Way.” Audiences are sure to be captivated by this event happening on Oct.16 and 17 in Huggins. With this being her first show at GC, she hopes it is one audiences remember.

“I hope this show transports students to the jazz era,” Dabney states. “I hope they connect with
the stories and emotions behind the music and leave feeling like they experienced something together.”

Anyone who speaks with Dabney will immediately know why she was chosen for the role. She exudes an energy and spirit that brings a ray of sunshine to the already brilliant GC Theatre
Department. She has a love of theatre and certainly a sense of humor.

“My Starbucks order is a venti chai oat with oat milk and seven pumps of chai,” she said when asked if there was anything she wanted the students and faculty to know about her. “Yes, seven! I take my chai very seriously.”