Kent, OH – The School of Theatre and Dance is thrilled to announce its 2024-2025 season: "The Crucible," "Pride & Prejudice – The Musical," the Fall Faculty Dance Concert, "The Wiz," Spring Faculty Dance Concert and "Men on Boats."
The 2024-2025 season will open with Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible," running Sep. 27-Oct. 2, 2024. "The Crucible" will be directed by Amy Fritsche. Widely considered a masterpiece, this timeless classic challenges American ideas of power, intolerance and justice. In the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts, a servant girl accuses a farmer’s wife of witchcraft. One accusation spirals into many, uncovering a web of bigotry and deceit that changes their lives forever.
The season will continue with "Pride & Prejudice – The Musical,” by Lawrence Rush, running Oct. 25-Nov. 3, 2024. "Pride & Prejudice -The Musical," directed by Fabio Polanco, tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, one of five sisters, who rebels against society's and her mother's wish that she must marry anyone, as long as he is rich. When she crosses paths with the rich and arrogant Mr. Darcy, a battle of wills ensues.
The Fall Faculty Dance Concert, with artistic direction by Jeffrey Rockland, will run Nov. 22-24, 2024. This concert features original choreography by members of ɫҹ University’s dance faculty and performances by dance majors and minors.
School of Theatre and Dance will continue into the new year with “The Wiz," Feb. 21–March 2, 2025. This musical comedy is based on the story “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, with book by William F. Brown and music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls. With a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music, this timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, family-friendly, modern musical. “The Wiz” will be directed by Ansley Valentine, the 2024-2025 Roe Green Visiting Director.
The Spring Faculty Dance Concert will run Mar. 28-30, 2025. This concert features original choreography by members of ɫҹ University’s dance faculty and performances by dance majors and minors.
The season will conclude with Jaclyn Backhaus’s "Men on Boats," open Apr. 18-27, 2025. “Men on Boats,” directed by Caitlin Kane, tells the true-ish story of John Wesley Powell, his crew and their journey down the Green River and Colorado River into the Grand Canyon. The tale was taken straight from the real journal entries of Powell and re-adapted by Jaclyn Backhaus into the three-act adventure story we know now.
Tickets for the 2024-2025 season will go on sale in Fall 2024. Tickets will be available for purchase over the phone at 330-672-ARTS (2787), online at www.kent.edu/theatredance or in person at the Performing Arts Box Office located in the Roe Green Center lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive. The box office is open Monday through Friday, Noon to 5 p.m.
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