Around the Telfair Peet: Spring 2026 edition

Wil Eplett & Sawyer Skinner | 4/28/2026

Take a look around the Telfair B. Peet Theatre in this photo feature highlighting the spaces where Auburn Theatre and Dance students learn, create and perform.

Sawyer Skinner tapping on the new Marley floor in the Dance Studio.

Brand-new Marley and curtains were installed in the dance studio in the summer of 2025. Originally, dancers had issues with the slippery hardwood floors when it came to attempting turns and jumps, so it was agreed among faculty to make the switch. While this improvement does come at the cost of losing the crispness of a tap dancer’s sound, without a doubt this change has helped students feel safer and better prepared to push their bodies to their limits.

Wil Eplett observing the Black Box space, seen through the tension grid.

2014 saw massive changes to the Telfair B. Peet Theatre with the construction of a brand-new black box. This space has become an impressive, multifunctional part of classes and shows.

Lindsey Beam and Caroline Brooks walking to the lobby through the mainstage hallway.

Notice anything different? In spring 2024, the Telfair Peet began a long operation of restoring its walls. The outdated gray wallpaper in the lobby has been pulled away, and a television was added in order to display information graphics and dramaturgy about shows, AU Singers and other important blurbs that come and go with the myriad special events the Peet hosts. This process is expected to continue into the hallways of the mainstage theatre.

Posters advertising AU Players and Mosaic Theatre Company.

In an effort to increase visibility of the many programs the department supports, it has invested in several new posters to hang in the lobby. These posters advertise student clubs and work groups: AU Players and Mosaic Theatre Company, respectively. Additionally, as every good organization needs a sense of purpose to fuel its fires and staff, the theatre department’s creed and mission have been given a place of prominence and honor in the center lobby. Anyone seeing a show can now get a firsthand glimpse at exactly the mentality AU Theatre students and staff use to create stunning displays of performance and humanity.

Wil Eplett standing in a newly repainted black mainstage.

Auburn University Theatre and Dance is committed to putting on full-scale productions for every show in the season. This means that unique floors and sets are designed for each show that finds its home on the mainstage. After the closing of each show, the scene shop practicum students, led by Technical Director Matt Gist, return the stage to its neutral state. Gist says the stage has been repainted about 50 times in the past 10 years at Auburn.

Linnie Johnston (left) and Amy Roberts (right) performing duties as Costume Shop Assistants.

Catherine Govignon and Linnie Johnston restocking racks in costume shop storage.

Twenty or so years ago, the Telfair Peet’s costume shop underwent a massive alteration. Instead of open ceilings, allowing everyone in the shop below to look up into crowded costume storage, the ceiling was closed off to create better storage capacity. Additionally, the diligent and immense effort of the shop staff and Sam Heilecker, director of costume technology, to remove stained, torn and falling-apart costumes over the past three years has opened space for new handmade costumes to be added.

Learn more about Auburn’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

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