History of CUPAL

The Columbia University Performing Arts League (CUPAL) was founded in the year 2000 by Natalie Robin and Stacey McMath, who were leaders of Kings Crown Shakespeare Troupe (KCST) and LateNite Theatre, respectively. At the time, the club was created to increase cooperation and communication among theatre groups at Columbia. Since then, CUPAL's membership has expanded greatly to now represent all performing arts groups inclusive of music, dance, comedy, and more. 

 

CUPAL’s priority is advocating for the needs of student performing arts groups on campus. We work in cooperation with the undergraduate student councils, governing boards, academic departments, student life offices, and school administrators. In the past, CUPAL has been responsible for many positive changes in the community including lobbying for the inclusion of a black box theater in what would become Barnard’s Diana Center, coordinating the current pre-calendaring system for campus venues, creating the Actor Share process to reduce inter-production conflicts among theatre groups, and designing an annual Showcase to highlight the achievements of the groups we represent.

 

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, CUPAL reinvented itself in order to better serve our student groups. We expanded our board and implemented numerous additions to CUPAL’s mission, reflecting the evolving needs of the community. These included the Futures program, a revival of the semesterly Special Project, and the website you are now reading.

 

We extend our sincere thanks to all those who support the efforts of CUPAL: the Columbia College Student Council, Barnard Student Government Association, Columbia Engineering Student Council, General Studies Student Council, Office of Undergraduate Student Life, Barnard Student Experience and Engagement, Activities Board at Columbia, Governing Board at Barnard, Barnard Theatre Department, Barnard Dance Department, and Columbia Music Department, as well as our dedicated alumni.