Gail Dunford. (Pam Klein)
By Aspen Langley
From large-scale musicals to intimate poetry readings, the Tilden Arts Center hosts a wide range of events — and Director Gail Dunford plays a role in nearly all of them.
As the center’s director, Dunford is often the first point of contact for those looking to rent space, whether for a mainstage production or a smaller event in the black box theater.
The Tilden Arts Center “has hosted a remarkably wide range of events,” Dunford said, including theatrical productions such as “musicals, plays, student directed work, and community collaborations,” as well as “dance performances, guest artist residencies, lectures, film screenings, and special campus events.”
She described the center as “both a teaching space and a cultural hub, supporting everything from intimate studio performances to large-scale productions with full technical design.”
Dunford said it is difficult to choose a favorite event but noted a preference for musicals such as “Bright Star,” “The Prom” and “Come From Away.” She also said she “loved hosting comedians Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie,” calling them “incredibly talented and funny,” and said it was a “joy watching our performing arts students usher with such professionalism and joyful engagement.”
Collaboration is central to the center’s work. Dunford pointed to last fall’s Waves of Change Arts Festival as “a great example,” describing it as “a three day event created by a committee of faculty and staff working on behalf of the Social and Economic Justice Institute.” The festival included film screenings in the science hall, events in the Higgins Art Gallery and concerts in Tilden. “It was a true collaborative effort,” she said, adding that she hopes funding continues.
When it comes to selecting events, Dunford said availability is often the deciding factor. “Theatres are often booked with classes and events,” she said, noting that a four-member production team also requires her to “be mindful of their time.” Ultimately, decisions “come down to timing and availability.”
She added that the college strives to present a variety of programming and does not decline events “simply because we aren’t excited about an art form, or we disagree with the presenter.”
Dunford said she worries students may be “overwhelmed by the sheer number of events happening on campus,” which can lead to lower awareness of Tilden programming. She said she would like to see more students get involved through opportunities such as ushering and work-study positions in technical theater and front of house.
She emphasized the broader impact of the arts, saying events at Tilden “create shared experiences, spark conversations, and bring people together across ages, backgrounds, and interests.”
Dunford also has a personal connection to the arts. She said she “fell in love with live music” as a teen and learned from Herbie Herbert, the original manager for the band Journey. She has since “devoted [her] life to supporting artists” and said she is “thrilled to be at 4C’s and Tilden Art Center for this next chapter.”
