Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatres

Known as Jewels 1 and Jewels 2

The Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatres at Boston University College of Fine Arts consist of two black box studio theatres that provide theatre students with a myriad of performance and design and production opportunities. Located on the third floor of the CFA Building (855 Commonwealth Avenue) in Rooms 352 (Jewels 1) and Room 356 (Jewels 2), the Miller Studio Theatres have a seating capacity of between 20-60, giving that intimate theatre feel to both audience members and actors.

The Miller Studio Theatres act as a home to numerous classes and productions each season, with sprung dance floors, state-of-the-art lighting grids and equipment, black velour curtains, and flexible seating risers.

Lizzie: the Musical. Photo by Daniel Bastidas

Shakespeare’s R&J. Photo by Daniel Bastidas

The world is a theatre.
Juliane “Jewels” Miller (CFA’08)

In 2008, the Miller Studio Theatres were funded through a generous donation from the family of Juliane Miller, a CFA School of Theatre student who passed away of a heart attack on August 31, 2006, five days before the start of her junior year.

Her family, including her parents Loren and Noanie Miller, and her grandparents Herman and Joane Miller, funded the renovation of the two studios to honor their late daughter’s love of the arts.

Juliane is remembered as a strong, positive influence on the CFA School of Theatre Class of 2008; an individual who loved every possible facet of theatre, stood up for what she believed in, and made every moment a little more enjoyable.

Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller was born on December 12, 1985, in Kauai, Hawaii, on her mother’s birthday. When Juliane was three years old, the family relocated to the Bay Area in California, where Juliane was raised and became heavily involved with the local theatre community. It was during the winter break of Juliane’s kindergarten year that her parents first took her to the Children’s Theatre in Palo Alto. She instantly fell in love with the stage. She knew at that early age she wanted to be an actor, and her passion for the theatre was instantly born.

Juliane had the opportunity to study at a variety of schools and training programs including the Menlo Park Academy of Dance, Menlo Atherton High School, the American Conservatory Theater, Stanford University School of Drama, and Palo Alto High School. Juliane was involved with the Palo Alto Children’s Theater where she not only acted, but also taught for the company’s Young Conservatory students and worked backstage as a part of the junior staff, sewing, painting sets, and lending a hand wherever needed.

By the time Juliane was accepted to Boston University School of Theatre, she had been in no less than fifty theatrical productions. Her life was absorbed by theatre; it truly was her bliss and, in the words of her parents, “We always encouraged her and felt so fortunate she never once steered off her career choice.”

“Jewels 2” Dedication Photo Gallery

The School of Theatre celebrated the dedication of “Jewels 2” on October 23^rd, 2008. Guests included Boston University President Robert Brown and his wife, Dr. Beverly Brown, as well as then College of Fine Arts Dean ad interim Walt Meissner, then School of Theatre Director Jim Petosa, Loren and Noanie Miller, and a host of Juliane Miller’s friends and family.

watch slideshow from 2008 dedication

Student Productions

The Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatres holds a special place for many students. Not only does it serve as a classroom, and educational space, but many graduating seniors present their final thesis to an audience in these venues. First-year graduate students also benefit from this space, as they come together for Masterclass, a series of collaborative projects throughout the academic year. School of Theatre students also have the opportunity to present public readings of their new plays and works in progress for the public in these studios.