Theater&…Federal Arts Policy by Vivian Bui ’26

Theater&… is a series of presentations by seniors in the Program in Theater that demonstrates the power of theater to connect to, reveal, educate about, and share a wide range of issues, topics, and experiences. Join Princeton seniors and fellow audience members for these unique one-night only explorations. Princeton senior Vivian Bui ’26, a School of Public and International Affairs major with minors in Theater and American Studies, presents a public policy analysis and historical contextualization of the National Endowment for the Arts’ termination of funding grants and its effect on identity-based nonprofit theatres in New York City. In May 2025, the NEA unexpectedly terminated millions of dollars of funding to nonprofit arts organizations. Using interviews, case studies of New York City identity-based theatres, and historical analysis, Bui presents her findings on what this moment reveals about the current state of executive power, federal arts policy, artistic freedom of expression, and nonprofit theatre. Written as her senior thesis for her major and independent work in theater, this research project lies at the intersection of the arts and public policy. Bui provides one of the first academic analyses of an unprecedented decision less than a year after its occurrence and situates it within a decades-long history between the federal government and artists over freedom of expression. Admission & Details The presentation is free and open to the public. No tickets required. Directions Enter the Lewis Arts complex through the main Forum level entry doors located across from the Princeton NJ Transit Station/Wawa. All other entry doors are locked on weekends. Get directions to the Drapkin Theater Studio, located on the 2nd floor of Wallace Dance Building at the Lewis Arts complex. Accessibility Drapkin Studio is an accessible venue with an assistive listening system. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information at our various…