Wright State Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures announce 2021–22 schedule

Wright State Theatre’s 2021–2022 season opens with “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Mamma Mia!” in the Festival Playhouse. (File photo from 2018).

After more than a year of outdoor and online productions, Wright State University’s Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures Programs plan to return with a full season of in-person productions.

The 2021–2022 season features six theatre productions, beginning this fall with “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Mamma Mia!” in the Festival Playhouse, the annual Spring Dance Concert and the Big Lens Film Festival.

The lineup celebrates the power of classic and contemporary drama, musical theatre, dance and film.

“In what will be among our most varied and exciting seasons ever, we’re proud to present plays, dance and musical theatre that excites, challenges, celebrates and restores,” said Joe Deer, distinguished professor of musical theatre and artistic director of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures.

For information about tickets, contact the Creative Arts Center Box Office at 937-775-2500 or Jamie.suttle@wright.edu or visit wright.edu/tdmp.

All performers and audience members will be required to wear masks during performances and observe university health protocols.

2021–2022 Theatre Season

“Lend Me A Tenor,” Director: Joe Deer
Sept. 23–Oct. 3, Festival Playhouse

Wright State opens its Festival Playhouse season with Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor,” one of the best and most successful comedies of the last 50 years. Set in a beautiful Art Deco world, the play features a cast of looney characters who feel as though they stepped out of 1930s Hollywood.

“Mamma Mia!“: Director/Choreographer: Greg Hellems; Musical Director: F. Wade Russo
Oct. 29–Nov. 13, Festival Playhouse

Audiences will finally get to experience Wright State Theatre’s production of “Mamma Mia!,” the musical hit featuring the music of ABBA. “We had to close this production just days before opening night due to the pandemic and have literally been waiting a year and a half to bring this worldwide dance phenomenon to our stage,” Deer said.

“Circle Mirror Transformation”: Director: Josh Aaron McCabe
Nov. 19–Dec. 5, Herbst Theatre

In this Obie Award-winning play, a group of adult amateurs enroll in a community center’s drama workshop and gradually learn more than just acting.

“Sweat”: Director: Shaun Patrick Tubbs
Feb. 3–13, Festival Playhouse

This contemporary Pulitzer Prize–winning drama by Lynn Nottage tells the story of American workers who struggle as their factory jobs disappear. The production will be directed by Wright State acting alumnus Shaun Patrick Tubbs.

“The Gondoliers,” Director: Lee Merrill Hapner; Musical Director: TBA
Feb. 18–27, Herbst Theatre

This comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan is filled with witty songs and nutty characters set in 19th century Venice.

“Sweet Charity,” Director: Marya Spring Cordes; Musical Director: F. Wade Russo; Choreographer: TBA
March 18–April 3, Festival Playhouse

This dance musical hit gives audiences a “behind-the-scenes” look at how a major musical would feel in rehearsal.

Dance Performances

Spring Dance Concert
April 21–24, Festival Playhouse

The annual Spring Dance Concert features a variety of works from classical ballet to cutting-edge contemporary dance by guest choreographers and Wright State dance faculty members.

Student Dance Concert: late Fall Semester,
Emerging Choreographers’ Concert: early Spring Semester

Both concerts will be held in Studio 170 in the Creative Arts Center and will feature works by students in the Dance Program.

Motion Pictures Events

Doc Night: Late Fall Semester; Center Cinema (room 280), Creative Arts Center

Doc Night showcases the best short student documentaries from the Documentary Semester of the junior year.

Big Lens Film Festival: Late Spring Semester; Venue: TBA

The annual Big Lens features short films, documentaries, animated films and music videos from Wright State motion picture graduates.