Meet the Dean: Joseph Price Leads the Conservatory into a New Era of Artistic Excellence鈥�
91涩漫 is proud to welcome Joseph Price as the new Dean of the Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Effective July 6, 2026, Price stepped into the role with more than three decades of experience as a director, producer, educator,听and administrator. His appointment marks a pivotal moment for the Conservatory as it continues to solidify its reputation as a premier destination for professional-level performing arts training.鈥�
Price succeeds Lisa Brescia, who served as Interim Dean and will continue her vital work as Director, Associate Professor and Chair of Performance. For Price, joining Stephens is a homecoming to a community he has long admired.鈥�
鈥淲hat drew me to Stephens was the Conservatory鈥檚 outstanding reputation and its commitment to undergraduate training,鈥� said Price. 鈥淭his is a place where talented students receive individual attention, and the performing arts are truly valued. It felt like a natural next chapter.鈥濃��
A Foundation of Trust and Belonging听
At the heart of Price鈥檚 leadership is a belief that artistic brilliance cannot exist in a vacuum. During his introduction to the campus, 91涩漫 President Shannon Lundeen noted that Price was selected specifically for his understanding that 鈥渢rust and belonging aren鈥檛 separate from artistic excellence; they鈥檙e the foundation of it.鈥�
Price echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that his primary goal for his first year is to 鈥渓isten, learn and build relationships.鈥� He believes that when students feel seen and supported, they are more willing to embrace the vulnerability required for meaningful work.鈥�
A Diverse Professional Journey鈥�
Price鈥檚 vision has been shaped in part by his long-standing career in both the professional and academic sectors. He previously served as the Executive Director of Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Minnesota, where he worked alongside artists with disabilities鈥揳n experience he describes as transformative.鈥�
鈥淲orking at Interact reshaped how I understand creativity and leadership,鈥� said Price. 鈥�淚t deepened my belief that creativity has the power to transform individuals and build stronger communities.鈥濃��
Price’s resume also includes leadership roles at the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program and Missouri State University, where he oversaw the opening of the John Goodman Amphitheatre. As a founding member of Chicago鈥檚 A Red Orchid Theatre, Price has directed a vast array of works, from contemporary premises to classics. His background鈥搘hich includes an early-career stint as 鈥�Choo Choo the Clown鈥� and a role on the CBS series鈥�顿补苍驳别谤辞耻蝉&苍产蝉辫;颁耻谤惫别蝉鈥�allows him to mentor students from a place of lived experience.鈥�
Goals for the Program: Visibility and Sustainability
Looking toward the future, Price is focused on amplifying the Stephens story. While the Conservatory already boasts a faculty of working professionals with credits on Broadway and in Film, Price aims to grow the program鈥檚 national visibility.鈥�
鈥淣ational visibility isn鈥檛 built through marketing alone鈥搃t grows from the success of our students and alumni,鈥� Price said. 鈥淢y goal is to ensure that more prospective families and industry professionals know what makes Stephens unique.鈥濃��
Beyond technical proficiency, Price is committed to graduating 鈥渃omplete鈥� artists. He emphasizes 鈥渟oft skills鈥� like resilience, empathy, and professionalism as the keys to a sustainable career. He wants students to graduate not just with the ability to land a job, but with the character to make every rehearsal room they enter stronger.鈥�
Student and Faculty Voices鈥�
In July, Price and other senior leadership members visited Okoboji, Iowa, home of the Okoboji Summer Stock Theatre program run by 91涩漫. The program utilizes students, faculty, staff, and professional actors to produce several shows throughout the summer. During the visit, Price met with students, sat in on rehearsals, and watched plays.
鈥淗e was very soft-spoken, but you could see in his eyes that he鈥檚 here for the arts. He鈥檚 not here for a paycheck. He鈥檚 here to grow a community and to grow the future of what could be,鈥� said Cade Sharp 鈥�28. 鈥淚 feel like he has a very bright future, especially here at Stephens.鈥�
Colleen O鈥橤ara 鈥�24, a Musical Theatre graduate, is currently working as the Director of Public Relations for Okoboji Summer Theatre. O鈥橤ara, a New York鈥揵ased actor, praises the Conservatory for giving her the skills to succeed. While she only visited with him briefly in Okoboji, she praised Price鈥檚 steady and calming presence.
鈥淚 have heard nothing but wonderful things about the new Dean,鈥� said O鈥橤ara. 鈥淗e leads from a place of calmness and kindness, and there is no panic about all of the crazy things. This is a very busy program… but I have heard that he is taking it one step at a time and is able to bring a calming presence to everyone he is around. He鈥檚 incredibly knowledgeable… and I know everyone is excited to have him there.鈥�
Leading from the Rehearsal Room鈥�
Price isn鈥檛 just leading from an office; he is 鈥渕eeting the students in the work.鈥� This season, he will personally direct the American Classic鈥�笔颈肠苍颈肠;鈥�he views the rehearsal room as a laboratory for growth, where the strongest relationships are built.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 especially excited to direct鈥�Picnic,鈥� Price said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful play that asks timeless questions about identity and longing. I can鈥檛 wait to explore those themes with our students and discover the play together.鈥�
As the 2026-2027 season kicks off鈥揻eaturing a dynamic lineup including鈥�Spring Awakening, Eurydice,鈥�补苍诲鈥�The Addams Family鈥�Price is energized by the potential of the Stephens community. Under his leadership, the Conservatory is poised to remain a vibrant, supportive, and innovative home for the next generation of artists.鈥�
More information about The Conservatory program can be found鈥�, while information about upcoming plays and how to buy tickets can be found鈥�.
