2021-2022 Season
Current and Upcoming Shows (April - May)
"Orlando" by Virginia Woolf, Adapted by Sarah Ruhl
Hilberry Gateway
About the show: A sophisticated and poetic stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Orlando by Sarah Ruhl tells the story of a young nobleman who is drawn into a love affair with Queen Elizabeth I. For a time, life at court is interesting enough, but Orlando yearns for something more. As he strives to make his way as a poet and lover, his travels keep him at the heart of a dazzling tale where gender and gender preferences shift regularly, usually with hilarious results.
View our 2023-2024 Season
Past shows this season
Rent - Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
September 23 - October 2, 2022
Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon written by Jonathon Larson follows a year in the lives of a diverse group of artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. Facing the problems head on, they make personal self-discoveries and find what really matters most in life. With songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages, Rent is a show you won't want to miss.
Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. - by Alice Birch
Underground Theatre at the Hilberry
A wildly experimental and inventive new play that does not behave, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. is an implosive play about the conundrums of being female in the 21st century. Playwright Alice Birch has a way of making you question everything you say when it comes to discussing women and their relationships with men, one another, and a world in a state of unending upheaval. Following a series of increasingly abstract vignettes, the play revolutionizes language, work, and the body by unraveling the typical narrative structure of theatre in favor of raw emotion and action.
The End of a Society - by LaRaisha Dionne
Underground Theatre at the Hilberry
The End of a Society by LaRaisha Dionne is an Afro-futuristic adventure that blends the culture and mythologies of Yoruba, Egypt, and Black America while calling upon the poetry of Alice Dunbar Nelson and William Shakespeare. After a successful reading with Shakespeare in Detroit in the Summer of 2021, this world premiere at the Underground will tell the story of a group of Black women in the final days of human existence, and their fantastical journey back to the motherland to determine the fate of the world.
The Merry Wives of Windsor - by William Shakespeare
The Merry Wives of Windsor is a comedy in five acts. The boozing and boorish Sir John Falstaff is in Windsor looking to have fun. But he's running out of money, and so hatches a plot to woo a wealthy wife away from her husband to get her money. But instead of sending a love letter to just one woman, he sends identical letters to two. The women learn about Falstaff's dishonorable intentions and set out to humiliate him appropriately.
The People vs. Friar Laurence, the Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet - by Ron West and Phil Swann
Underground Theatre at the Hilberry
The People Vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet is a musical comedy telling the story of Romeo and Juliet from a new perspective. By Ron West and Phil Swann, the story shows Friar Laurence behind bars, and charged for the 'murder' of the two young lovers. As the trial progresses mayhem and silliness abound with laugh out loud bits, catchy songs, and scenes equal parts Vaudeville and Bard.
"A Place For Twelve" - Premiere
WSU's Company One Touring Dance Ensemble premieres during Noel Night 2022
This 50 minute family friendly lecture-demonstration concert features dance performances by the Wayne State University Company One cast based around themes of identity, place, and collaboration.
Company One dance productions create a lively experience through the use of contemporary dance choreography, narration, technology, and music. Each program features the choreography of company dancers, local artists, and esteemed national guest artists.
December Dance Concert
featuring choreographic work from Guest Artists, Faculty, and Students!
As the weather cools down, our dancers are warming up for the December Dance Concert at the Allesee Dance Theatre. Presenting works choreographed by our esteemed faculty, guest artists, and students themselves, you are sure to be engaged throughout with a variety of unique and diverse works. Don't miss our first departmental concert of the 2022-2023 season!
B.F.A. Dance Capstone Concert
The Dance Capstone Concert serves as the culmination of the artistic/choreographic portion of DNC 5996: Senior Capstone. All works are choreographed by this year's graduating BFA seniors. The show highlights each choreographer's individual style, making for an entertaining and experimental experience. Virtuosic movement, humor, theatricality, and film are all fused together to create an immersive and engaging show.
Company Fresh Showcase
Company Fresh is a year-long company that actively explores all the areas of theatre and dance in addition to equity and inclusion in the arts for first-year majors. The company will collaborate to devise and develop an original show that encompasses creative performing arts. The first semester will comprise exploration and discussion of diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts as an individual and community. In addition, we will explore the various art forms and begin development of a script and choreography. The second semester will comprise of revising the script, tweaking choreography, rehearsal, design, and marketing of the final production.
To Sangana presents "Connections"
Allesee Dance Theatre
This dynamic dance company thrills audiences with Congolese and Pan-African-derived dance and drum presentations, guaranteed to inspire, invigorate, educate, and entertain. The company celebrates rich cultural traditions from the African heritage, as well as the contemporary African-American experience. To Sangana brings together music, theatre, visual art, and movement to form a complete artistic and cultural statement. To Sangana reaches a worldwide audience through the rigorous, theme-based, and excitingly joyful dedication of professional dancers and musicians.
Dance Workshop: Eyes on the WatchTower
Dance Workshop's Eyes on the WatchTower explores the nuances of digital surveillance and community tracking in an evening-length performance. Through the use of multimedia design and movement, the company plays directly with techno-human relationships, asking: What are you looking for? Who are you looking at? Where are you looking? Who is controlling the narrative? The show is inspired by the WDET podcast Tracked and Traced, which examines the real world impact of surveillance technology on individual daily life, Detroit communities, and society at-large. Eyes on the WatchTower moves through the pernicious effects of surveillance technologies and playfully investigates the promiscuity of digital and physical bodies. Performers take audiences down the techno-mediated rabbit hole and into the world of digital surveillance, but it also examines if, how, and with whom we might imagine modes of tracking that make us feel safe.
Cabaret - Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet - by Tarell Alvin McCraney
Marcus is sixteen and "sweet." Days before Hurricane Katrina strikes the housing projects of Louisiana, the currents of his life converge, overflowing into his close-knit community and launching the search for his identity on a cultural landscape infused with mysterious family creeds. A devastating tempest is brewing in the skies above, and Marcus is haunted by his father's mysterious legacy, his own sexuality, and his dreams of torrential downpours. The provocative, poignant and fiercely humorous coming-of-age story of a young gay man in the South, Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet is the stirring conclusion of The Brother/Sister Plays by Academy Award-winning playwright and screenwriter, Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight).
She Kills Monsters - by Qui Nguyen
She Kills Monsters tells the story of a young woman embarking on a fantastical Dungeons and Dragons adventure in pursuit of understanding her late younger sister. Set in 1995, this story goes back and forth between the real world and the world of D&D. She Kills Monsters is a one act comedic adventure/drama that addresses themes of familial bonds, LGBTQ+ issues, and the struggles of being an outcast.
94th Annual Spring Dance Concert "On The Horizon"
The 94th annual Spring Dance concert is the culmination of the yearlong works of our undergraduate dancers. Students have the chance to perform in repertory pieces choreographed by resident faculty and guest artists alike. Student choreographers will also present and share their work alongside industry professionals. Be there for our dancers' debut on the STAGE at the Hilberry Gateway!
Motor City Cabaret
Hilberry Gateway
About the show: Motor City Cabaret is Theatre and Dance at Wayne's musical theatre performance and outreach ensemble.
Masks are optional but strongly recommended. Visitors no longer need to complete the Wayne State Daily Screener and masks are now optional. Theatre and Dance at Wayne abides by Wayne State Covid protocols to ensure the safest environment for you and our community. Our commitment to your health and safety includes timely updates to University protocols.