The University of Memphis Department of Theatre and Dance, in collaboration with the Department of English, welcomes back distinguished alumnus Tristan André — a New York–based actor, dancer, playwright and multidisciplinary artist — for a special two-day residency on campus, April 16–17.
A graduate of the University of Memphis (BFA, Theatre Performance, ’16), André returns not only as a former student, but as a fully realized artist whose work bridges movement, storytelling, music and cultural inquiry. His visit offers students and faculty a rare opportunity to engage with a performer whose creative voice has grown from Memphis roots into a dynamic national presence.
At the University of Memphis, André was known as a gifted dancer, writer and compelling stage actor. In his senior year, he took Solo Performance Development with Professor Sarah Brown, where he began experimenting with the solo form — drawing on movement, autobiographical storytelling and multimedia elements to create a deeply personal performance piece. That early exploration would become the seed of a major artistic trajectory.
“Tristan is a force of creativity, positivity and generosity; his love of language, poetry and human connection is at the heart of his work — qualities that make him a magnetic stage actor and fearless solo actor,” said Professor Brown.
Following his graduation, André was accepted into the prestigious Professional Actor Training Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his MFA in 2019 and became a company member of PlayMakers Repertory Company (2016–19).
It was there, in his final year, that he created his signature solo work, “They Do Not Know Harlem,” an immersive and deeply personal performance in dialogue with the life and writings of James Baldwin.
Blending dance, music and storytelling, the piece explores Black queer identity through the parallel journeys of Baldwin and André himself. Originally developed as his thesis project, the work was later fully produced as part of PlayMakers’ 2023 season, where it received critical acclaim for its emotional power and innovative mix of dance, music, video and text.
Since then, André has acted in productions across the country, performing in leading venues in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and New York City. His professional credits include work with Shakespeare Theatre Company (“The Amen Corner”), The Public Theater (“As You Like It”), and Philadelphia Theatre Company (“Choir Boy”).
Residency Events (free and open to the public)
Public Interview and Q and A
- Who: Tristan André, guest artist; hosted by Dr. Terrence Tucker (chair, Department of English)
- What: Interview and discussion on They Do Not Know Harlem and André’s artistic journey
- When: Thursday, April 16, 1–2:20 PM
- Where: Harris Hall, Music Building (across from the Theatre Department), University of Memphis
The event will be moderated by Dr. Terrence Tucker, chair of the English Department at the University of Memphis, a scholar of African American literature, and author of Furiously Funny: Comic Rage from Ralph Ellison to Chris Rock.
Solo Performance Workshop
- Who: Tristan André
- What: Workshop on writing and performing solo work
- When: Friday, April 17, 10 AM–Noon
- Where: Lab Theatre 235, Department of Theatre and Dance
Sign up for a slot here: tinyurl.com/37fypdkm
