UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — John Simpkins, head of musical theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture's School of Theatre, has received the 2024 President’s Award for Engagement with Students.

The award is given to a faculty member who goes beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage students in learning. The honorees have made themselves available to interact with students outside class, link students to opportunities and help them build their confidence as learners and potential contributors to society.

Nominators said Simpkins is dedicated to educating students and is constantly creating ways for them to further interact with the arts.

A few of his efforts include:

• Creating initiatives and performance opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.

• Working with writers from the New York University Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program to create songs based on the lives and stories of musical theater students, which helps build connections with industry professionals.

• Leading the effort to annually commission and develop a new musical with professionals. The project brings to campus a writing team from the Broadway community to create a musical featuring the senior class of musical theatre students each year, resulting in concerts and performances in New York and on campus throughout the process. Nominators said several of these projects have gone on to professional productions, with Penn State students in the casts.

• Creating cabarets and engagement opportunities at Penn State and beyond. Performances include fall cabarets at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center, as well as entertainment at University events such as the Renaissance Dinner, President’s Club Reception, Mt. Nittany Society Dinner, capital campaign events and alumni gatherings. 

“This allows for not only performance opportunities — but for a way for our students to understand service, philanthropy and the power of musical theatre to assist with a positive society,” a nominator said.

• Directing an annual showcase in New York City for graduating students, which includes his mentorship with agents, casting directors and managers as they begin their professional careers.

• Working with the Blue Band on a halftime show for a Penn State football game.

• Developing and overseeing the Wellness Initiatives for musical theatre students, which grants them access to services such as psychological counseling, nutrition, physical therapy and vocal health.

• Overseeing an annual trip to New York City for students to see shows, take class, and visit with alumni who are working on Broadway.

• Bringing alumni and industry professionals to campus for master classes. He also brings professional theatres to campus to conduct auditions for their seasons.

“Simpkins has been an innovator in creating ways to engage with our students outside the classroom and also traditional settings for the students in the BFA Musical Theatre programs, one of the most highly ranked programs of its kind in the nation,” a nominator said.