Mission

Our mission is grounded from the goals of Applied Theatre, which uses theatre methods for exploration, education, and addressing community issues. Through enhancing communication and creativity across various fields, we contribute to the College of Arts & Science’s mission both to grow and promote the impact of Applied Theatre research and creative work while additionally strengthening community engagement and outreach.

The CATDR Players

We create and perform original works of theatre about urgent social issues to foster community conversations.

CATDR members come from the Mizzou student body and are experienced in a variety of theatrical devising techniques.

Focusing on open dialogue through performance, students work together as an ensemble to develop new materials, hone applied theatrical skills, and present their work to interested constituencies.

Students from across campus are encouraged to audition as membership is open to all majors at MU.

Signature Programs

• Annual Life and Literature Performance Workshop
  • Spring, 2026—Community stories of health
• Applied Theatre Troupe—conduct forum theatre and solo performances on social issues on various platforms

Recent Projects 

• Conference workshop at the Kennedy Center for American Theatre Regional Festival teaching Theatre of the Oppressed techniques to student festival participants—Spring, 2025
• Applied Theatre Performances in classes on MU campus and at National Communication Association—Fall, 2024
• Workshops to help improve communication and overcome public speaking fears. We have also applied these techniques to enhance doctor/patient communication with medical students—Spring, 2024

History

The Center was founded by Emerita professor Dr. Suzanne Burgoyne along with then Department Chair Dr. Heather Carver.  Burgoyne began leading workshops applying theatre skills to training in public speaking and faculty development in the1980s. She partnered with Emeritus Professor Clyde Ruffin to create the Interactive Theatre troupe in 2003 as part of a multi-campus initiative on multicultural education sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The Center was formally established in 2015 to house both faculty and graduate student applied theatre research and practice together. Dr. M. Heather Carver has served as the Director of the Center since 2022.

Financial Support

CATDR is partially supported by Dr. Suzanne Burgoyne’s generous contributions along with the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. If anyone wants to contribute to CATDR’s mission, contact Dr. Heather Carver at carverh@missouri.edu