Theatre Department 2023-24 Season
Our 2023-24 season is all about the contemporary moment! Works by some of the most important voices in our country right now—we believe that these plays are catalysts for valuable conversations within our Davidson community. We hope that you come out to experience these stories with us!
John Proctor is the Villain
October 12, 13 & 14 at 7:30 p.m.; October 15 at 2 p.m.
Written by Kimberly Belflower
Directed by Ann Marie Costa
Scenic Design by Chip Davis
Lighting Design by Anna Kruger-Dull
Plays in the Barber Theatre
At a rural high school in Georgia, a group of lively teens are studying The Crucible while navigating young love, sex ed, and a few school scandals. Holding a contemporary lens to the American classic, they begin to question who is really the hero and what is the truth, discovering their own power in the process. Alternately touching and bitingly funny, this new comedy captures a generation in mid-transformation, running on pop music, optimism, and fury, writing their own coming of age story.
Please be advised that this play contains adult language including racist and sexist micro-aggressions, as well as content concerning grooming, abusive relationship dynamics, and sexual assault.
Blood at the Root
November 9, 10 & 11 at 7:30 p.m.; November 11 & 12 at 2 p.m.
Written by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by James Webb
Scenic Design by Anita Tripathi
Plays in the Barber Theatre
Racial tension erupts in a bold ensemble drama inspired by a real-life incident in Jena, Louisiana. Infused with elements of hip-hop theatre, this “choreopoem” is about six high school students who struggle to (re)define themselves, fight against apathy, and persevere amidst a relentless injustice happening at their school. One of the most produced Black contemporary plays on university campuses, Blood at the Root examines the intersectionality of race, gender, and sexuality in the American education and criminal justice systems.
Please be advised that this play contains strong language, racial and homophobic slurs, and symbols of violence to accurately depict the story of the Jena Six.
Teaching and Learning in Pandemic Times
A Staged Reading
February 2 at 7 p.m. and February 3 at 3 p.m.
Written by Dr. Sharon Green
Featuring a cast of professional actors, educators, and Davidson students.
In March 2020, as the COVID pandemic hit the U.S., schools around the country did the unthinkable: they closed. Over the next 2 years schools operated in various capacities: online, hybrid, staggered attendance, and more. Teachers, administrators, and school counselors were asked to adapt, often with no preparation and no resources. The pandemic illuminated the centrality of teachers -- not only as the glue that holds our education system together, but also as crucial components of our larger economic and social ecosystem. Based on the verbatim text from interviews with K-12 educators, administrators, and counselors, this play examines and commemorates the impact of the pandemic on teachers.
The reading will be followed by discussion with a panel of community educators, and will include refreshments and a raffle! Tickets are FREE and the event is open to ALL. Please sign up here.
Bright Star
March 20 - 23 at 7:30 p.m.; March 24 at 2 p.m.
Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin
Music, Lyrics & Story by Edie Brickell
Directed by Mark Sutch
Musical Direction by Jacquelyn Culpepper
Conducted by Tara Keith
Scenic Design by Anita Tripathi
Lighting Design by Anna Kruger-Dull
Plays in the Duke Family Performance Hall
Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.