IU Theatre + Dance is pleased to bring in distinguished artists and scholars for its Collins Lecture series, providing insight, history, and the creativity of professionals to our students and greater Bloomington community.
Collins Memorial Lecture
Nikki Snelson - 2025 Collins Memorial Lecturer
Nikki Snelson
Please join us on Wednesday, March 5 for an enriching lecture by Nikki Snelson.
Nikki Snelson (she/her) has been working on Broadway and beyond as an actress, creator, director, choreographer and educator for the last 30 years. As an actress, Ms. Snelson is most recognized for her performance of Brooke Wyndam in the original Broadway and MTV cast of LEGALLY BLONDE. While at the Palace in LEGALLY BLONDE, she was a part of the deliciously campy “Search for the New Elle Woods” on MTV. Nikki originated the role of Winnie Tate in the Broadway revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (starring Bernadette Peters). She was also seen on Broadway in SWEET CHARITY (starring Christina Applegate). Nikki spent several years on National Tours as “Cassie” in A Chorus Line and “Susan” in TICK, TICK, BOOM! She also performed in the Broadway National Tours of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SHOW BOAT and HELLO, DOLLY with Carol Channing.
2025 Collins Memorial Lecture Details
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Collins Memorial Lecture
5-6:30 pm
Lee Norvelle Theatre
and Drama center /
Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center
Grand Hall
Price: FREE
About Nikki Snelson
Nikki Snelson (she/her) has been working on Broadway and beyond as an actress, creator, director, choreographer and educator for the last 30 years. As an actress, Ms. Snelson is most recognized for her performance of Brooke Wyndam in the original Broadway and MTV cast of LEGALLY BLONDE. While at the Palace in LEGALLY BLONDE, she was a part of the deliciously campy “Search for the New Elle Woods” on MTV. Nikki originated the role of Winnie Tate in the Broadway revival of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (starring Bernadette Peters). She was also seen on Broadway in SWEET CHARITY (starring Christina Applegate). Nikki spent several years on National Tours as “Cassie” in A Chorus Line and “Susan” in TICK, TICK, BOOM! She also performed in the Broadway National Tours of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SHOW BOAT and HELLO, DOLLY with Carol Channing.
About Ralph L. Collins
Ralph L. Collins (1907-1963) was born in Eclectic, Alabama. He was educated at the University of the South, where he earned a B.A. in 1928, and at Yale University, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1933. Before joining the Department of English at Indiana University in 1935, he did editorial work for Atlantic Monthly and taught one year at the University of Tennessee. At Indiana, he served as varsity tennis coach from 1940 to 1945 and as director of the Writers Conference from 1941 to 1948. He was named assistant dean of faculties in 1948, and vice president and dean of faculties in 1959.
As a teacher and scholar, Dean Collins was principally interested in the area of theatre and drama. He published articles in the area of theatre and drama, including many in Modern Language Notes, Philosophical Quarterly, Theatre Annual, and University of Kansas Review. For many years, he taught undergraduate courses in modern drama and in Shakespeare and a graduate seminar on George Bernard Shaw.
Even after assuming his many administrative duties, Dean Collins maintained his interest in theatre. For him, drama was not merely a form of entertainment. It was an intense presentation of behavior, a projection of gestures of mind and heart, and a searching analysis of motives and moral foundation. No static memorial could honor the memory of Ralph L. Collins as does this memorial lecture series.
The College of Arts