The Underground
The Incubator for Emerging Artists
The Vision of the Underground Theatre Company is to increase access and equity in the arts through the sound support and promotion of diversity, independence and progression of the arts and Culture within Wayne State University and the Wider Detroit Community. Allowing aspiring artists and students to discover, create, and present their artistic visions through production and workshop in unique spaces giving students the opportunity to make mistakes and find success along the way.
The company is managed and operated by a student board and its executive members. The executive team is comprised of an Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director, Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Marketing Lead and Secretary who work directly with faculty to conduct both an academic season comprised of three to four productions and summer-season comprised of theatre productions. The board is overall comprised of members of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and varying levels of educational completion within the University.
2023 Summer
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL
Book by Joe Tracz Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
September 8-9, 2023
About the Show: This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan's bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he's a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
Performance dates:
- 8 pm Friday, September 8 (Opening Night)
- 2 pm Saturday, September 9
- 8 pm Saturday, September 9 (Closing Night)
THE LIGHTNING THIEF is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Past Shows
June July August by Sinead Daly
June 23-24, 29-30, 2023
About the Show: At an all-girls' summer camp, a group of teenage junior counselors spend three life-changing months together as they navigate the complexities of womanhood, social hierarchies, and the irreversible consequences of their actions when things get gravely out of hand.
Performance dates:
- 8 pm Friday, June 23 (Opening Night)
- 2 pm Saturday, June 24
- 8 pm Saturday, June 24
- 7pm Thursday, June 29
- 8 pm Friday, June 30 (Closing Performance)
22-23 Leadership
The company additionally facilitates workshops for students within the Department of Theatre and Dance which promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the arts.
Currently the Executive Board includes the following students:
- Ashley Poulin -- Chair
- Fernanda Hernandez -- Vice Chair
- Shannon Dingle & John Pierre -- Artistic Directors
- Cole VanAmberg -- Treasurer
- Josh Prim -- Secretary
- Kayla Smith -- Marketing Director
The board works in cooperation with Billicia Charnelle Hines and John Keisling as their faculty mentors.
If you have any questions about the company or would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out to us at undergroundtheatreco@wayne.edu and we will respond as soon as possible!