Wesleyan Names New Theater for Lin-Manuel Miranda
Wesleyan University has named its black box theater in the new Fries Arts Building the Lin-Manuel Miranda Theater, in honor of Lin-Manuel Miranda ’02, Hon. ’15, the acclaimed composer, playwright, and alumnus who first developed In the Heights as a student on campus.
“It’s fitting that this space, designed for discovery, carries the name of a truly groundbreaking artist,” said President Michael S. Roth ’78. “Lin-Manuel has reimagined musical theater with a wholly original voice, expanding what’s possible on stage and screen. His path reflects the kind of creative ambition we hope to inspire in every Wesleyan student, and we are grateful for his generosity.”
A Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award–winning songwriter, actor, producer, and director, Miranda is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Hamilton and In the Heights and is a co-founder of Freestyle Love Supreme. He is also the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Fellowship, was a 2018 Kennedy Center Honoree, and was named a Disney Legend in 2026. Most recently, he co-wrote Warriors, a new concept album with Eisa Davis, based on the 1979 movie, and is currently directing the musical film adaptation of Dave Malloy’s Octet.
“Wesleyan is a place that doesn’t expect you to have it all figured out—but gives you the support, freedom, and opportunity to discover your creative path,” said Miranda. “It’s deeply humbling to imagine a new generation of students finding their voice in this new theater.”
Located at 56 Hamlin Street, the Lin-Manuel Miranda Theater is a purpose-built experimental black box space equipped with state-of-the-art production equipment and featuring a large glass wall that allows performances to extend between indoor and outdoor environments, offering new ways for artists and audiences to engage with the work.
“When we had the opportunity to strengthen the arts in multidisciplinary fashion through the Fries Arts Building, creating this theater space became a priority,” said Deputy Provost and Dean of Arts and Humanities Roger Mathew Grant. “It connects to other art forms within the building and even to the outdoors—something entirely new for our campus. There’s an intimacy here that makes each performance distinct, where audiences can truly feel the movement.”
Since opening in the fall of 2025, the new theater venue at the Fries Arts Building has hosted numerous works developed and performed by students and faculty, including Marta Becket Saves Us All presented by the Theater Department, the Spring Faculty Dance Concert, and the student-led Spring Dance Concert.
