Dean College Announces 2026–2027 Performing Arts Season
Dean College proudly announces its 2026–2027 performing arts season, featuring theatre and dance productions performed by Dean students and brought to life in collaboration with accomplished faculty, guest artists, choreographers and directors. Running from October through May, the season includes four mainstage theatre productions, four major dance concerts and four student showcase productions.
“This season gives our students opportunities to explore ambitious works, develop their individual artistic voices and share their talents with the wider community,” said Stephen Ursprung, Dean of the Schools of Performing Arts. “From contemporary musicals and thought-provoking plays to original student and faculty choreography, each production reflects the creativity, collaboration and professional preparation at the heart of Dean’s performing arts programs.
This season also arrives at a meaningful moment, as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. While not every production speaks directly to patriotism, the season as a whole is shaped around the question of what it means to be American: how we exist in community with one another, how we face challenges as a society, and how we embody ingenuity, collaboration and resilience in the face of adversity.
Regularly priced tickets range from $12 to $22 per show. Full-season ticket packages offer a 25 percent discount off the regular single-ticket prices. The Full Season Package (eight performances) is $132 for the general public and $72 for senior citizens and non-Dean students. All shows for Dean students are $5.
The Theatre Series Package (four performances – “The Skin of Our Teeth,” “Urinetown,” “August: Osage County,” and “9 to 5”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.
The Dance Series Package (four performances – “Fall Dance Concert,” “Faculty Dance Works,” “Choreographers’ Concert,” and “Dance Company”) is $66 for the general public and $36 for senior citizens and non-Dean students.
Ticket packages are now available online at www.dean.edu/performance. Individual show tickets will be available beginning September 8.
2026–2027 Performing Arts Season
“The Skin of Our Teeth”
Written by Thornton Wilder
October 14–18 | Main Stage
An epic and timely comedy about the endurance of the human spirit, Thornton Wilder’s “The Skin of Our Teeth” follows one American family – and the people with whom they share the experience of living – through ice ages, floods, wars and the everyday struggles and triumphs of being alive.
Written in 1942, the play asks urgent questions about humanity’s capacity to move beyond survival, take responsibility for one another and work toward the collective good.
“The Skin of Our Teeth” is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (www.concordtheatricals.com).
“Fall Dance Concert”
October 30–31 | Guidrey Center
This performance showcases choreography by sophomore, junior and senior Dance majors, celebrating the creative voices of Dean’s student artists and a range of choreographic perspectives. Seating is general admission.
“Urinetown”
Music by Mark Hollmann; Lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis; Book by Greg Kotis
November 11–15 | Main Stage
Winner of three Tony Awards, “Urinetown” is a hilarious and irreverent musical satire that takes aim at capitalism, bureaucracy, social irresponsibility, environmental collapse, municipal politics and musical theatre itself.
In a Gotham-like city experiencing a devastating water shortage, private toilets have been banned and residents must pay to use public facilities controlled by a powerful corporation. When one citizen decides he has had enough, a revolution begins. Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, “Urinetown” pairs wickedly modern wit with a surprisingly heartfelt story about freedom, community and social change.
“Urinetown” was produced on Broadway in September 2001 by the Araca Group and Dodger Theatricals in association with Theater Dreams, Inc. and Lauren Mitchell.
“Urinetown” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. (www.mtishows.com).
Content advisory: This production is recommended for ages 12 and older due to mature content and themes, including innuendo and minor profanity. It also contains simulated and implied violence.
“New Dancer Showcase”
December 4-5 | Main Stage
A program of dance works created by upper-level Dance majors and performed by Dean’s first-year Dance majors.
“New Thespian Showcase”
December 5-6 | Main Stage
A program of monologues, scenes, songs and theatre works brought to the stage by Dean’s first-year Theatre majors.
“Faculty Dance Works”
December 11–12 | Main Stage
An energetic and engaging dance concert featuring works conceived by faculty from Dean College’s Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance.
“August: Osage County”
Written by Tracy Letts
February 24–28 | Main Stage
Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play explores the complicated bonds, buried secrets and long-standing conflicts within the Weston family. When the family patriarch mysteriously disappears, three generations return to the family’s Oklahoma home, where grief and unresolved tensions quickly collide.
At the center of the story is Violet Weston, the sharp-tongued family matriarch, whose illness and addiction intensify an already volatile reunion. Darkly funny and deeply moving, “August: Osage County” examines addiction, betrayal, mental illness and the ways families can both wound and sustain one another.
“Choreographers’ Concert”
March 5–6 | Main Stage
Student Choreographers will have selected works showcased and adjudicated by renowned industry professionals in this two-night opportunity. You will have the chance to see the creative talents of emerging student choreographers in a full production setting.
Guest artists will provide feedback to choreographers following select performances. Audiences are welcome to stay, but there will be a brief pause after the conclusion of the show to allow people to leave as needed.
“9 to 5”
Music and lyrics by Dolly Parton; Book by Patricia Resnick
April 7–11 | Main Stage
Based on the hit 1980 film, “9 to 5” is a hilarious and empowering story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era.
Pushed to the boiling point by their sexist, egotistical and hypocritical boss, three female coworkers devise a plan to turn the tables. When their scheme takes an unexpected turn, Violet, Judy and Doralee take control of the company that has always held them back—and give their workplace a long-overdue makeover. Outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little romantic, “9 to 5” celebrates what can happen when people work together to demand something better.
“9 to 5” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. (www.mtishows.com).
“Dance Company”
April 22–25 | Main Stage
Faculty and guest choreographers showcase the impressive talent of Dean’s Dance majors through a mixed bill of new and restaged dance works. This year’s program features work by guest artists Shakia Barron '05, and David Parker | The Bang Group.
“Theatre Senior Showcase”
May 1 - 2 | Main Stage
Featuring scenes, songs and monologues, the annual “Theatre Senior Showcase” celebrates graduating performance majors from the Class of 2027 and serves as the cohort’s formal introduction to the professional theatre community.
“Dance Senior Showcase”
May 7–8 | Main Stage
Dean’s senior Dance students share their choreography, performance and production expertise in this annual collaborative showcase. The program features new dances alongside restaged choreography representing the students’ time at Dean.
Dean College uses a ticketless validation system for all events. Patrons may present tickets digitally on a mobile device, which is highly preferred, or print their receipt and pick up tickets at the Main Stage Will Call kiosk beginning 60 minutes before the performance. A valid ID is required for Will Call pickup.
All events and performances are subject to change. Visit www.dean.edu/performance for current performance times, ticket information and applicable venue policies. Ticket holders who do not comply with venue policies will not be admitted.
Dean College welcomes children and families to its performances. However, infants and children under 2 years of age are not permitted in the theatre, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All patrons must have their own ticketed seats; lap sitting is not permitted. Only ADA-certified service animals are allowed in the theatre.