CURTAINS UP

A Historical Perspective on Drama

2026 - 2027 WA Youth Arts Leader

Reimagining the Performing Arts Through Storytelling, Advocacy, and Community

Hello, I’m Rohan. Welcome to Curtains Up!
I started Curtains Up! because I love theater and wanted to learn more about its history and the people who keep it alive today. Over time, it has also become a way for me to speak up about why the arts matter and why students and communities should continue to have access to them.

Through my podcast, I talk with artists, educators, researchers, and arts leaders from across the country. We explore theater history, but we also talk about issues facing the arts today, including arts education, funding, access, community wellness, and the future of the performing arts.

Through Curtains Up!, I hope to bring these different interests together by exploring the history, impact, business, and future of the performing arts. From ancient theater and Shakespeare to arts education, senior wellness, funding, and AI, I want to understand where theater has been, where it is today, and where it might go next. You can also find my work on Instagram and curtains-up.org.

Most of all, I hope Curtains Up! can help more people understand why the arts matter and why we need to protect opportunities for them in our schools and communities.

In the Spotlight Arts Advocacy

Testimonials

Michael Greer

CEO, Seattle ArtsFund

"I really enjoyed joining Rohan on Curtains Up! Our conversation explored important issues facing the arts and culture sector, and I was impressed by Rohan’s knowledge, curiosity, and passion for its future. I look forward to future episodes and recommend the podcast to anyone interested in thoughtful perspectives on the value of the arts."

David Roby

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

"What an honor and a privilege to discuss the historical nuances and modern impacts of Commedia dell'Arte with Rohan on Curtains Up! Rohan's genuine passion for theatre and for people has brought an all-star cast of theatre professionals and historians to give you, the listener, the absolute best of the best. Simply put, this show (and Rohan) makes us all better -- better artists, better people, better listeners. Keep those Curtains Up!"

Prof. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Curtains Up podcast discussing classical Roman comedy and tragedy and how these forms emerged from, reflected, and shaped their social contexts. Rohan Sengupta is a consummate professional, blending skilled communication with a passion for theatre history and devoted care and attention to historical detail. I look forward to continued great things to come from Curtains Up and all of Rohan’s endeavors! "

David Roby

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

"What an honor and a privilege to discuss the historical nuances and modern impacts of Commedia dell'Arte with Rohan on Curtains Up! Rohan's genuine passion for theatre and for people has brought an all-star cast of theatre professionals and historians to give you, the listener, the absolute best of the best. Simply put, this show (and Rohan) makes us all better -- better artists, better people, better listeners. Keep those Curtains Up!"

Prof. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Curtains Up podcast discussing classical Roman comedy and tragedy and how these forms emerged from, reflected, and shaped their social contexts. Rohan Sengupta is a consummate professional, blending skilled communication with a passion for theatre history and devoted care and attention to historical detail. I look forward to continued great things to come from Curtains Up and all of Rohan’s endeavors! "

David Roby

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

"What an honor and a privilege to discuss the historical nuances and modern impacts of Commedia dell'Arte with Rohan on Curtains Up! Rohan's genuine passion for theatre and for people has brought an all-star cast of theatre professionals and historians to give you, the listener, the absolute best of the best. Simply put, this show (and Rohan) makes us all better -- better artists, better people, better listeners. Keep those Curtains Up!"

Prof. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Curtains Up podcast discussing classical Roman comedy and tragedy and how these forms emerged from, reflected, and shaped their social contexts. Rohan Sengupta is a consummate professional, blending skilled communication with a passion for theatre history and devoted care and attention to historical detail. I look forward to continued great things to come from Curtains Up and all of Rohan’s endeavors! "

David Roby

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

"What an honor and a privilege to discuss the historical nuances and modern impacts of Commedia dell'Arte with Rohan on Curtains Up! Rohan's genuine passion for theatre and for people has brought an all-star cast of theatre professionals and historians to give you, the listener, the absolute best of the best. Simply put, this show (and Rohan) makes us all better -- better artists, better people, better listeners. Keep those Curtains Up!"

Prof. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Curtains Up podcast discussing classical Roman comedy and tragedy and how these forms emerged from, reflected, and shaped their social contexts. Rohan Sengupta is a consummate professional, blending skilled communication with a passion for theatre history and devoted care and attention to historical detail. I look forward to continued great things to come from Curtains Up and all of Rohan’s endeavors! "

David Roby

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

"What an honor and a privilege to discuss the historical nuances and modern impacts of Commedia dell'Arte with Rohan on Curtains Up! Rohan's genuine passion for theatre and for people has brought an all-star cast of theatre professionals and historians to give you, the listener, the absolute best of the best. Simply put, this show (and Rohan) makes us all better -- better artists, better people, better listeners. Keep those Curtains Up!"

Prof. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Curtains Up podcast discussing classical Roman comedy and tragedy and how these forms emerged from, reflected, and shaped their social contexts. Rohan Sengupta is a consummate professional, blending skilled communication with a passion for theatre history and devoted care and attention to historical detail. I look forward to continued great things to come from Curtains Up and all of Rohan’s endeavors! "

David Roby

Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA

"What an honor and a privilege to discuss the historical nuances and modern impacts of Commedia dell'Arte with Rohan on Curtains Up! Rohan's genuine passion for theatre and for people has brought an all-star cast of theatre professionals and historians to give you, the listener, the absolute best of the best. Simply put, this show (and Rohan) makes us all better -- better artists, better people, better listeners. Keep those Curtains Up!"

Prof. Scott Magelssen

Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Curtains Up podcast discussing classical Roman comedy and tragedy and how these forms emerged from, reflected, and shaped their social contexts. Rohan Sengupta is a consummate professional, blending skilled communication with a passion for theatre history and devoted care and attention to historical detail. I look forward to continued great things to come from Curtains Up and all of Rohan’s endeavors! "

Guest Speakers

See all the Guest Speakers

Miranda Leigh Hein

Executive Director, ArtsEd Washington

CURTAINS UP

A Historical Perspective on Drama

In the Spotlight Arts Advocacy

Testimonials

Guest Speakers

Empowering Young Artists. Enriching Senior Citizens.

Instagram

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Blogs

Shakespeare's First Folio: The Book That Saved His Plays

Ambition and Downfall: Faustus Compared with Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes

Theater as Civic Infrastructure: Why the Arts Matter More Than We Think

Curtains Up !

Listen Where Stories Come Alive

Learn from the Masters of the Stage

Causes I support through theater

Empowering Young Artists.
Enriching Senior Citizens.