Wright State and Dayton Performing Arts Alliance collaborate on production of ‘West Side Story’

Wright State students, alumni and faculty will work and perform alongside industry professionals in the production of “West Side Story.” (Courtesy of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance)

Wright State University students will share the stage with working professional performers from the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance in a production of the famed Broadway and film musical “West Side Story” at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center on Sept. 26 and 27.

The production brings together Wright State students, alumni and faculty with artists from Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet and Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, providing students with hands-on experience in a professional-scale theatrical production.

This is the second collaboration between Wright State and the arts alliance as part of a biennial series. The first production, “South Pacific,” was performed in 2024.

“The collaboration between the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance and Wright State University is really strong in this production,” said theatre emeritus faculty member Joe Deer, who is directing “West Side Story.”

The demanding nature of “West Side Story” also makes it a natural fit for Wright State’s approach to preparing students for careers in the performing arts, Deer said.

“‘West Side Story’ is the most triple threat kind of production you could ever imagine, meaning that everybody has to sing, everybody has to dance and everybody has to act, very often all at the same time,” he said. “For the students from Wright State University who are part of the company, that idea of being a triple threat is just baked into the philosophy of how they study, how the productions at Wright State work and how they pursue their careers.”

For Grace Goodwin, who graduated from Wright State in spring 2026, performing in “West Side Story” is a childhood dream come true.

“I saw the show live, and my Puerto Rican grandmother and I would watch the film version with Rita Moreno as well. Getting to do a show I adore with this cast and creative team is an absolute privilege,” said Goodwin. “Performing with some of people I went to school with feels like being home. I love my Raider family so much, and I’m honored to get to join them in Dayton again.”

Like Goodwin, Wright State acting major Hunter Gee is getting real-world, professional experience for his resume as a member of the cast.

“Working with current faculty, students and recent alumni of Wright State has been a full-circle experience, as I am witnessing the brilliant work of my mentors and peers that I have grown to know in the studio,” said Gee. “Sharing the stage with the professional actors has been an incredible introduction to the industry outside of the educational studios, as they bring additional experiences and offerings to the table. I have gained such valuable insights on storytelling and crafting a piece through collaboration, and I am so excited to share this production with audiences.”

For Deer, the opportunity to direct “West Side Story” holds personal meaning.

Deer’s connection to “West Side Story” dates to his career as a Broadway dancer, when he worked with performers who were part of the original production and film.

“It’s really been ingrained in me — the traditions of the show and the vitality of a story that seems to never get old,” he said.

Jamie Cordes, a senior lecturer in theatre, hopes audiences will see that a story written in the 1950s is still relevant today. Cordes plays Lieutenant Shrank, a police officer trying to keep the peace between rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks.

“Seeing the collaboration of arts organizations from Dayton and Wright State on a piece as powerful as ‘West Side Story’ is exciting,” he said. “It is special to work alongside current students and graduates of Wright State as fellow artists, rather than teacher to student. Doing the work together to tell an impactful story and sharing the stage as colleagues is one reason why I do what I do as an educator.”

Wright State theatre alumnus Jake Lockwood is excited to return to the Schuster Center stage to play Gladhand.

“I have never had the opportunity to do ‘West Side Story.’ As a lifelong fan of the show, this is a true bucket list moment for me,” said Lockwood. “Coming together with my Wright State family is a special treat. Working with Joe is always an honor and watching our students, past and present, step into their professional lives is extremely rewarding.”

With a 61-piece orchestra, a full set, costumes and lighting by former Wright State faculty member Matt Benjamin, Deer promises Dayton audiences have never seen a production of “West Side Story” like this.

“It is going to be a really beautiful production. The level of artistry is as strong as you could ever want,” he said. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

How to go

Performances of “West Side Story” will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2:30 p.m. at the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton. Tickets may be purchased at daytonperformingarts.org.

Learn more at daytonperformingarts.org/production/west-side-story.