Learning from Performers Celebrates 50 Years
OFA presents Robert Carlock ’95 and Tina Fey in Conversation: Creative Mischief and the Art of Being Funny Together
The Office for the Arts proudly celebrates 50 years of Learning from Performers, the flagship visiting artist series that has enriched and inspired students and the community since 1975.
In celebration of this landmark anniversary, the OFA presents a series of vibrant discussions pairing distinguished alumni artists alongside artistic collaborators. The festivities open 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 7 p.m. at Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge.
During the event, Carlock and Fey will share insights about their artistic process and creative collaboration with an audience of students and community members.
Free tickets for the January 30 event are available to Harvard ID holders January 23 and to the public (limited availability) January 26 at the Smith Campus Center box office or online at the Harvard Box Office. Limit two tickets per person. Tickets are valid until 6:45 p.m. on the day of the event. More information at Harvard Box Office or by phone at (617) 496-2222. Handling fees apply for online and phone sales.
Check back soon for additional events celebrating 50 years of Learning from Performers!
Learning from Performers is supported by The Bernard H. and Mildred Kayden Artist in Residence Fund, and the Peter Ivers Artist Fund.
About Learning from Performers
Under the OFA directorship of Myra Mayman, Learning from Performers (LFP) was the brainchild of Jerold Kayden ’75, now the Frank Backus Williams Professor of Urban Planning and Design at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and Founding Director of its Masters in Real Estate Program. Kayden curated the program during its inaugural year, creating the template for what would become a thriving enterprise that continues to this day. Following Mayman’s retirement, LFP was fostered by former OFA Director of Programming Tom Lee and is now produced by Associate Director for Creative Productions Alicia Anstead.
Featured artists have included: theatrical director Harold Prince, violinist Itzhak Perlman, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, actor Robert Redford, vocalist Sarah Vaughn, artist Robert Motherwell, choreographer Merce Cunningham, composer Aaron Copland, photographer Alice Neel, playwright Arthur Miller, composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, choreographer Meredith Monk, cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, composer Quincy Jones, dancer Suzanne Farrell and operatic soprano Beverly Sills.
More recent artists have included: Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor Josh Groban, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, conductor Marin Alsop, vocalist Ana Gasteyer, poet John Ashbury, TV/stage actor Kristen Chenoweth, architect Frank Gehry, composer/banjo player Alison Brown, operatic tenor Placido Domingo, actor Matt Damon, music industry leader Randall “Sickamore” Medford, singer Ali Sethi, rapper Terrace Martin, novelist Min Jin Lee, gospel singer Richard Smallwood, YA novelist Angeline Boulley, actor BD Wong, operatic bass Morris Robinson, filmmaker Mira Nair and playwright Michael R. Jackson.
For a more detailed history of the series, visit the Learning from Performers webpage.
Media questions should be directed to Alicia Anstead, anstead@fas.harvard.edu.