WWU to host alumnus and Emmy-winning creator of ‘Severance’ Dan Erickson May 15

Western Washington University will host an artist talk with 2007 WWU grad, Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and producer of "Severance" Dan Erickson, from 4-5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15, on the Performing Arts Center Mainstage.

The event is free and open to the public, and is presented by Western's Department of Theatre and Dance.

Severance has earned widespread recognition for its originality, storytelling, and visual style. His work has helped shape contemporary television and has garnered both industry honors and a devoted global audience.

"We teach our students to be theatre interpreters but also theatre makers, so when they leave Western they have the tools to create their work, their own opportunities. And most importantly, to add their voices to the cultural conversation," said Rich Brown, chair of the WWU Department of Theatre and Dance. "Dan's success is the epitome of this approach."

The artist talk will offer attendees a behind-the-scenes look at Erickson's creative process, his journey from Western to Hollywood, and the development of "Severance," which has its roots in a student play written and produced by Erickson and staged in the Old Main Theatre.

Following the public talk, Erickson will be honored at Western's 2026 Alumni Awards ceremony, where he and four fellow alums will be recognized. The ceremony will be held immediately after the talk in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room.

Registration is required for the Alumni Awards ceremony, and additional details will be available soon at The Foundation for WWU & Alumni website.

More information about the event is available here.