Fall 2021 – Spring 2022
The department is thrilled to get back into the theatre! As always, the safety of our students and community is top priority, and we will be following any current CDC / VCU safety protocols. Follow us on social media for up to date information on tickets and more!
October 2021
Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach
Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Directed by Wes Seals
Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale of a boy, his insect friends and their amazing journey across the ocean on a giant piece of fruit—now a musical for the whole family to enjoy! Featuring a wickedly tuneful score by the Tony-Award nominated team of Pasek and Paul.
This will be the department’s first show in Raymond Hodges Theatre since February 2020! Our students are so excited to get back in the theatre, and MFA graduate Audrey Reed’s costume design for James already won first place at the 2021 SETC Conference!
December 2021
Men on Boats
By Jaclyn Backhaus
Directed by Sharon Ott
Ten explorers. Four boats. One Grand Canyon. Men On Boats is the true(ish) history of an 1869 expedition, when a one-armed captain and a crew of insane yet loyal volunteers set out to chart the course of the Colorado River.
Dates TBD Fall 2021
Improv!
Directed by Elizabeth Byland
Featuring VCU Improv teams Running AMok; Toxic Shock; Black, Brown, and Honey; and Wait Did They Just Kiss? The Second National Virtual College Improv Festival will stream in Fall 2022, and we’ll also host Nights of Improv LIVE AND IN-PERSON in Hodges Theatre!
February 2022
Intimate Apparel
By Lynn Nottage
Directed by Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates
Set in New York City in 1905, INTIMATE APPAREL is a heart-wrenching story about desire, touch and what it means to be loved. Nottage tells the story of Esther, a lonely, single African-American woman who makes her living sewing beautiful corsets and ladies’ undergarments for women from all walks of life. With the dream of opening up her own beauty parlor for Black women, Esther begins to long for a partner, someone to make her life feel complete. But when an egregious deception cuts short heartfelt desires, can class, culture and circumstance outmatch the strength of human spirit? Inspired by a true story, Intimate Apparel is a powerful contemporary work in the style of an enduring classic—from the first female playwright to win two Pulitzers.
Spring 2022 – Touring Production
Macbeth3
By Lisa Wolpe
Directed by Mary Hodges
This is Lisa Wolpe’s celebrated adaptation of Macbeth with a four character cast! The director—Mary Hodges—is not only a VCUarts Theatre Alum, she starred in the premiere (that’s Mary on the far right and Lisa on the left in the photo above)! Wolpe specializes in adapting Shakespeare with a keen eye on gender, race, and sociopolitical power. She is a pioneer in non-traditional casting, and has directed dozens of gender-bent adaptations of classical plays.
This production will travel to area high schools and host performances on the VCU campus.
April 2022
To be announced—another big fun musical!
Directed by Kikau Alvaro
Look out for more info!
Keep an eye on our website and social media for ticket announcements!
If you have questions regarding mainstage productions, please reach out to Sarah Moore at mooresw4@vcu.edu