DETROIT – The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance, in the College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts at Wayne State University is proud to present Rent with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Directed by Michael Barnes, this production performs live on-stage now through October 2 at the Hilberry Theatre located at 4743 Cass Ave.  

Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and survival in the precarious climate of the East Village in 1980s New York City. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon written by Jonathan Larson follows a year in the lives of a diverse group of artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. Facing their problems head-on, they make personal self-discoveries and find what really matters most in life.  

Theatre and Dance at Wayne State's Production of Rent the Musical is part of the National AIDS Memorial’s efforts to bring the Quilt to communities across the United States to raise greater awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and to remember those lost to the pandemic. A past member of the Hilberry Graduate Company, Alan Harvey, died due to pneumonia caused by AIDS shortly after receiving his M.F.A. diploma. Theatre and Dance at Wayne will be dedicating the run of Rent to Alan, and the Quilt will serve as a demonstration that the themes covered in Rent are not only relevant to the present but are close to home as well. 

Additionally, Theatre and Dance at Wayne is using this production to raise money for Corktown Health’s Housing and Emergency Financial Assistance programs which are designed to help clients living with HIV stay engaged or to reengage in medical care.  

Rent marks the Hilberry Theatre’s final musical production before the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance moves to the new Hilberry Gateway in Winter 2023. The cast of primarily third year Hilberry Graduate Actors presents an exciting opportunity to see incredible talent in this historic venue. 

Tickets are selling fast! Prices start at $15 for students, $18 for seniors and Wayne State alumni, faculty, and staff, and $22 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at theatreanddance.wayne.edu/2022-2023/rent, by phone at 313-577-2972, or in-person at the Box Office up to two hours prior to performance time. This production contains mature subject matter. 

 

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Rent Performance Schedule 

• 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 28 (Includes Post-show talkback with cast) 
• 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 29 
• 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 30 
• 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1 
• 8:00 p.m. Saturday, October 1 
• 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 2 (Closing Performance) 

 

Wayne State University COVID-19 Policies 

All visitors must present the Campus Guest Daily Screener for admittance. 

Theatre and Dance at Wayne abides by Wayne State Covid protocols to ensure the safest environment for you and our community. All audience members are required to complete the Wayne State Daily Screener before attending any on campus performance. All visitors are required to be masked. Our commitment to your health and safety includes timely updates to university protocols. The guest screener can be accessed at www.go.wayne.edu/guest. 

About Theatre and Dance at Wayne   

Theatre and Dance at Wayne is the producing entity of the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance, a department in the College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts at Wayne State University. The department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in theatre and dance, including a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in either Performance, Design and Technology, or Stage Management; Bachelor of Science in Dance; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance; Master of Fine Arts in Acting, Set Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Stage Management, and Theatre Management; Master of Arts in Teaching Artistry; and a Master of Arts in Arts Administration. Minors are available in Africana Theatre and Dance, Theatre Design and Technology, Theatre, Theatre Management, Dance, Community and Studio Dance. Additional information on academic programs can be found at http://theatreanddance.wayne.edu/   

About Wayne State University   

Wayne State University is one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit http://research.wayne.edu/