The Underground
The Incubator for Emerging Artists
The Vision of the Underground Theatre Company is to increase access and equity in the arts through the sound support and promotion of diversity, independence and progression of the arts and Culture within Wayne State University and the Wider Detroit Community. Allowing aspiring artists and students to discover, create, and present their artistic visions through production and workshop in unique spaces giving students the opportunity to make mistakes and find success along the way.
The company is managed and operated by a student board and its executive members. The executive team is comprised of an Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director, Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Marketing Lead and Secretary who work directly with faculty to conduct both an academic season comprised of three to four productions and summer-season comprised of theatre productions. The board is overall comprised of members of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and varying levels of educational completion within the University.
2024 Summer Season
Blood at the Root
Written by Domique Morriseau
June 21-23
About the Show: Blood at the Root is a bold new drama by award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau inspired by the events surrounding the "Jena Six", six black teenagers convicted in the beating of a white student at Jena High School on December 4, 2006. It follows a group of high school students desperately trying to define themselves while seeking to persevere amidst the relentless injustice happening in America. Blood at the Root examines the miscarriage of justice, racial double standards, and the impasse in gender relations of all classes and, as a result, the shattering state of black family life. Using music, dance and poetry, this ensemble driven piece weaves into stunning effect an impactful theatrical experience that asks us to explore the current state of activism in the 21st century.
Performance dates:
- 8 pm Friday, June 21 8 (Opening Night)
2 pm Saturday, June 22
8 pm Saturday, June 22
3 pm Sunday, June 23 (Closing Performance)
BLOOD AT THE ROOT is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Urinetown
Music and Lyrics by Mark Hollman Book and Lyrics by Greg Kotis
July 26- August 3
About the Show: In the not-so-distant future, a terrible water shortage and 20-year drought has led to a government ban on private toilets and a proliferation of paid public toilets, owned and operated by a single megalomaniac company: the Urine Good Company. If the poor don’t obey the strict laws prohibiting free urination, they’ll be sent to the dreaded and mysterious “Urinetown.” After too long under the heel of the malevolent Caldwell B. Cladwell, the poor stage a revolt, led by a brave young hero, fighting tooth and nail for the freedom to pee “wherever you like, whenever you like, for as long as you like, and with whomever you like.” A brilliant satire modeled off the plays of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, Urinetown is a wickedly funny, fast-paced, and surprisingly intelligent comedic romp.
Performance dates:
- 8 pm Friday, July 26 (Opening Night)
8 pm Saturday, July 27
7 pm Thursday, August 1
8 pm Friday, August 2
2 pm Saturday, August 3
8 pm Saturday, August 3 (Closing Performance)
URINETOWN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Artists of Tomorrow, Tonight
Join us for the First Annual CFPCA Gala
April 22nd at 7 p.m.
Hilberry Gateway
The Underground Theatre Company is proud to present the First Annual CFPCA Gala: Artists of Tomorrow, Tonight. Join us in the Hilberry Gateway Lobby for a black- tie encouraged gala to celebrate Wayne State student artists! Indulge in an evening of savory refreshments, captivating entertainment, and support for our Creative Warriors!
2023 Summer
THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL
Book by Joe Tracz Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
September 8-9, 2023
About the Show: This dynamic musical adaptation of Rick Riordan's bestselling book opened on Broadway in 2019. When teenager Percy Jackson discovers he's a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
Performance dates:
- 8 pm Friday, September 8 (Opening Night)
- 2 pm Saturday, September 9
- 8 pm Saturday, September 9 (Closing Night)
THE LIGHTNING THIEF is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Past Shows
June July August by Sinead Daly
June 23-24, 29-30, 2023
About the Show: At an all-girls' summer camp, a group of teenage junior counselors spend three life-changing months together as they navigate the complexities of womanhood, social hierarchies, and the irreversible consequences of their actions when things get gravely out of hand.
Performance dates:
- 8 pm Friday, June 23 (Opening Night)
- 2 pm Saturday, June 24
- 8 pm Saturday, June 24
- 7pm Thursday, June 29
- 8 pm Friday, June 30 (Closing Performance)
22-23 Leadership
The company additionally facilitates workshops for students within the Department of Theatre and Dance which promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the arts.
Currently the Executive Board includes the following students:
- Ashley Poulin -- Chair
- Fernanda Hernandez -- Vice Chair
- Shannon Dingle & John Pierre -- Artistic Directors
- Cole VanAmberg -- Treasurer
- Josh Prim -- Secretary
- Kayla Smith -- Marketing Director
The board works in cooperation with Billicia Charnelle Hines and John Keisling as their faculty mentors.
If you have any questions about the company or would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out to us at undergroundtheatreco@wayne.edu and we will respond as soon as possible!