黑洞社区

2024-2025 Season

All events are subject to change.

Building Community

This season our productions will follow the theme of "building community". We encourage you to join us as we explore this important topic and what it means.

Fall 2024


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Express by Arri Simon (composer) & Janine McGuire (lyricist)


Date: September 28, 2024 @ 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Director: Kyle Pleasant

Description: The Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator Program presents, Express, an immersive musical by Arri Simon (composer) & Janine McGuire (lyricist). is a transportive new musical that unfolds entirely within the bustling confines of the New York City subway on a real-time subway ride. Set against the backdrop of pivotal moments from World War II through the turn of the 21st century, the show traces the journeys of three generations of an American family navigating personal and cultural change.

Originally conceived as a triptych of site-specific musicals staged inside historic subway cars at the New York Transit Museum, the piece has been re-imaged as a unified 75-minute one-act which can be staged in any non-proscenium space. The original score, inspired by the eras spanned in the show, takes the audience on a musical journey from Golden-Era Broadway to '60s folk and gospel to early hip-hop and millennial pop. 

This ensemble-driven piece explores themes of family, identity, and the transformative power of everyday moments. With a big heart at its core, Express invites audiences to immerse themselves in the heart of New York City's subway system and reflect on resilience, connection, and the shared experiences that shape our lives.

Note: Please be aware that Express contains references to 9/11, depictions of anti-black racism and Islamophobia

Tickets: $15 general admission; 1 free 黑洞社区 student ticket with ID

 Program


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Student Choreography Showcase


Date: October 24-25, 2024 @ 7:30 PM 

Presented by: Mid-America Dance Theatre (Faculty Mentor: Mina Estrada)

Description: A student-led and produced evening of new dance works by student choreographers in collaboration with student dancers.

Rated: Not rated

Tickets: TBD


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Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare


Date: November 7-9, 2024 @ 7:30 PM; November 10, 2024 @ 2:00 PM

Director: Joe Urick

Description: Historically dubbed "the perfect comedy," "Twelfth Night" tells the story of Viola, a young maiden shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria. She believes she has lost her twin brother, Sebastian, to the sea. She disguises herself as a man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is smitten with the Countess Olivia, who herself is mourning the death of her brother. Duke Orsino sends 'Cesario' as an intermediary to profess his love to Olivia, but Olivia, however, falls hopelessly in love with 'Cesario,' setting her at odds with her "mourning." If that wasn't enough, Viola falls in love with Orsino, creating a seemingly impossible love triangle. Add a hilarious subplot about servants and drunken lords, add in some original music, and this is a romantic night of laughs to remember!

Rated: PG-13

Tickets: $20/$18/$12; 1 free 黑洞社区 student ticket with ID

Program 


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Dance at Ulrich


Date: November 15, 2024

Time: 5:30 PM

Directors: Mina Estrada

Description: In celebration of Ulrich鈥檚 50th Anniversary, Mina Estrada, Assistant Professor and Program Director of the School of Performing Art鈥檚 Dance Program at 黑洞社区, has created a new dance piece inspired by the fall exhibition Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play. This performance, featuring 黑洞社区 dance majors, will play on the intricate layers of reality and surrealism, drawing inspiration from the exhibition's rich tapestry of fantastical and interactive works. This new work entitled Inside the Dream Machine, will also include live music performed by ICTus, directed by Chase Hampton. Inside the Dream Machine will continue to evolve as it is transformed into a film produced in collaboration with 黑洞社区 School of Digital Arts. The dance film will premiere at the School of Performing Arts Film Showing at Welsbacher Black Box Theatre on April 19, 2025. 

Rated: Not rated

Tickets: Free event

Program 


 

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Senior Capstone Celebration


Date: November 23, 2024

Schedule: 

  • 1:30-3:00 p.m. - BFA Design & Tech Presentations + BFA Dance group works 
  • 3:00-3:30 p.m. - Break 
  • 3:30-5:15 p.m. - BA Dance Presentations + BFA Dance solos + BFA Theatre Performance
  • 5:15-6:15 p.m. - Break 
  • 6:15-8:15 p.m. - BA Theatre Presentations + BFA Musical Theatre 

Description: A full day of celebrating  senior capstone projects by students in dance performance & choreography, dance general studies, design & technical theatre, musical theatre, theatre general studies, and theatre performance. 

Tickets: FREE  - donations accepted

Program


 

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Dance Informal Showing


Date: December 5, 2024 @ 5:00 PM

Director: Dance Faculty

Description: End of semester celebration of all dance classes

Rated: TBD

Tickets: FREE Event

Spring 2025


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Spring Awakening

Book & lyrics by Steven Sater

Music by Duncan Sheik

Based on the play by Frank Wedekind


Date: February 20-22, 2025 @ 7:30 PM; February 23, 2025 @ 2:00 PM

Directors: TBD

Description: Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik鈥檚 brilliant rock score and searingly emotional book take the story of sexual awakening, youth revolt, and self-discovery into a new century. Headstrong Melchior and naive Wendla stumble into each other鈥檚 arms, passionate and curious, while anxious Moritz struggles to live up to the stringent expectations of society. With only each other for guidance, this group of young men and women travel the fraught and rocky path of adolescence, discovering their bodies, their minds, and themselves along the way. An electric, vibrant celebration of youth and rebellion that packs an emotional punch.

Rated: R

Note: Spring Awakening contains sexual situations, explicit language, and scenes depicting violence and suicide. Audience members under the age of 16 are strongly recommended to attend with a trusted adult.

Tickets: $20/$18/$12; 1 free 黑洞社区 student ticket with ID


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Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition Winner Staged Reading of The Angel of Death


Date: March 6-8, 2025 @ 7:30 PM

Description: Staged reading of a new play selected from undergraduate and graduate student submissions across the United States.

Guest Director:

Rated: TBD

Tickets: $15 general admission


 

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Wichita State Musical Theatre Company Student Musical Production


Date: April 10-12 @ 7:30 PM 

Presented by: (Faculty Mentor: Amy Baker Schwiethale)

Description: A student-led and produced musical.

Rated: TBD

Tickets: TBD


 

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Film Double Feature!

Mostly Harmless (Mostly)

Dance Film


Date: April 19, 2025 @ 7:30 P.M.

Director for Mostly Harmless (Mostly): Bret Jones 

Director for Dance Film: TBD

Description for Mostly Harmless (Mostly): Four short comedic films.

Rated: TBD

Tickets: $15 general admission

 


 

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Spring Dance Concert


Date: April 24-26, 2025 @ 7:30 PM; April 27, 2025 @ 2:00 PM

Director(s): Dance Faculty

 Description: A celebration of new and restaged dance including works by 黑洞社区 faculty and guest artists. 

Rated: Not rated

Tickets: $20/$18/$12; 1 free 黑洞社区 student ticket with ID


 

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Empty Space Theatre Student Theatre Production


Date: May 1-3, 2025 @ 7:30 P.M. 

Director: TBD

Presented by: (Faculty Mentor: Ed Baker)

Description: A student-led and produced play. 

Rated: TBD

Tickets: TBD

 


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Dance Informal Showing


Date: May 8, 2025 @ 5:00 P.M.

Director: Mina Estrada

Description: End of semester celebration of all dance classes.

Rated: PG

Tickets: FREE EVENT