Learning from Performers

Learning from Performers

Celebrating over 50 years of Learning from Performers, a visiting artist series that has enriched and inspired students and the community since 1975.

students at table listening to jeremy harris

The Office for the Arts proudly celebrates more than 50 years of Learning from Performers, a visiting artist series that has enriched and inspired students and the community since 1975.

Learning from Performers brings distinguished artists from across disciplines into dialogue with our students, the Harvard community and the public. Artists are invited to present a free, public conversation centered around artistic process and creative collaboration. Artists often stay for workshops, meals, and feedback sessions with students.

For LFP’s 50th anniversary, the OFA is presenting a series of vibrant discussions pairing distinguished alumni artists alongside artistic collaborators. On September 13, 2026, American Repertory Theater artistic director Diane Paulus ’88 will be in conversation with actors Paul Giamatti and Tatiana Maslany, from the A.R.T. production of Rhinoceros. And on November 5, 2026, musician Yo-Yo Ma ‘76 will be in conversation with comedian, writer, and producer Stephen Colbert.

A student and artist Rob Shetterly discuss a portrait

The anniversary festivities opened with Creative Mischief and the Art of Being Funny Together, a conversation between writer, producer and showrunner Robert Carlock ’95 and actor, writer, producer and comedian Tina Fey on January 30, 2026, at Sanders Theatre. During the sold-out event, Carlock and Fey shared insights about their artistic process and creative collaboration. Additionally, The Opportunes, a Harvard a capella ensemble, performed, and four students from campus comedy groups led a conversation with the artists.

The mission at the heart of the Learning from Performers program is that creativity and discovery are nurtured by engagement. To that end, the LFP visiting artist producer Alicia Anstead, in conjunction with OFA director and many student co-producers, curates immersive programs that put students and professional artists in the room together in creative, exciting, intellectual exchanges.