Wayne State University

Warrior strong
Login
Search

Maggie Allesee

Theatre and Dance

The Underground

The Incubator for Emerging Artists

The mission 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.

Purchase Tickets

2025 Summer Season On Sale Soon!

SPACE GIRL

Written by Mora V. Harris
June 13 - 15
 
About the Show: Arugula Suarez just wants to fit in. But it's not easy when you're a sixteen-year-old alien from the planet Zlagdor. Stuck in a world where the only things that make sense are roller derby and salad, Arugula and her father, Nancy, must find out what it means to be human before time runs out for Planet Earth. 
 
 
Performance dates:
  • 8 p.m. Friday, June 13
  • 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14
  • 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14
  • 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15

Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)

CARRIE: THE MUSICAL

Music by Michael Gore, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford, Book by Lawrence D. Cohen, Based on the novel by Stephen King
July 26- August 3
 
About the Show: Inspired by Stephen King’s timeless novel, CARRIE: THE MUSICAL follows the story of Carrie White, a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.
 
Performance dates:
  • 8 p.m. Friday, July 25
  • 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26
  • 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26
  • 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31
  • 8 p.m. Friday, August 1
  • 2 p.m. Saturday, August 2
  • 8 p.m. Saturday, August 2
  • 3 p.m. Sunday, August 3

 CARRIE THE MUSICAL is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Past Shows

Urinetown

Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollman Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
July 26- August 3
 
About the Show: In the not-so-distant future, a terrible water shortage and 20-year drought has led to a government ban on private toilets and a proliferation of paid public toilets, owned and operated by a single megalomaniac company: the Urine Good Company. If the poor don’t obey the strict laws prohibiting free urination, they’ll be sent to the dreaded and mysterious “Urinetown.” After too long under the heel of the malevolent Caldwell B. Cladwell, the poor stage a revolt, led by a brave young hero, fighting tooth and nail for the freedom to pee “wherever you like, whenever you like, for as long as you like, and with whomever you like.” A brilliant satire modeled off the plays of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, Urinetown is a wickedly funny, fast-paced, and surprisingly intelligent comedic romp. 

URINETOWN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Blood at the Root

Written by Dominique Morisseau
June 21-23
About the show: Blood at the Root is a bold new drama by award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau inspired by the events surrounding the "Jena Six", six black teenagers convicted in the beating of a white student at Jena High School on December 4, 2006. It follows a group of high school students desperately trying to define themselves while seeking to persevere amidst the relentless injustice happening in America. Blood at the Root examines the miscarriage of justice, racial double standards, and the impasse in gender relations of all classes and, as a result, the shattering state of black family life. Using music, dance, and poetry, this ensemble-driven piece weaves into stunning effect an impactful theatrical experience that asks us to explore the current state of activism in the 21st century.
 
BLOOD AT THE ROOT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Artists of Tomorrow, Tonight

Artists of Tomorrow, Tonight

Join us for the First Annual CFPCA Gala

April 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Hilberry Gateway 

The Underground Theatre Company is proud to present the First Annual CFPCA Gala: Artists of Tomorrow, Tonight. Join us in the Hilberry Gateway Lobby for a black-tie encouraged gala to celebrate Wayne State student artists! Indulge in an evening of savory refreshments, captivating entertainment, and support for our Creative Warriors!

The Lightning Thief artwork
September 8-9, 2023

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.

Get Tickets  View Program

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

June July August poster

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)

24-25 Leadership

Currently the Executive Board includes the following students:

  • Ava Schoenmeyer -- Chair
  • John Pierre -- Managing Director
  • Shannon Dingle -- Artistic Director
  • Abby Grant -- Treasurer
  • Rachel Paulin -- Marketing Director

The Underground has achieved Student Organization Status with the Dean of Students Office and worked with the Chair of Theatre and Dance Michael J Barnes to function within the Department

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!