Texas Tech School of Theatre & Dance announces 2023-24 season

With renovations to the Charles E. Maedgen, Jr. Theatre finished and its new facility complete, Texas Tech University’s School of Theatre & Dance, housed within the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, announces its 2023-24 “Welcome Home” season.

Kicking off the season is “Water by the Spoonful,” a powerful drama and the winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize by Quiara Alegría Hudes. Nadia Guevara, an award-winning actor, director, producer and administrator from New York City and Washington D.C., will direct the production. Guevara is a current recipient of the prestigious Drama League Stage Directing Fellowship.

“We are fortunate to have an accomplished professional like Nadia leading this production and working with our students,” said Mark Charney, director of the School of Theatre & Dance. “She brings a wealth of experience as a freelance director, and I know our students are excited to share this opportunity with her.”

In November, “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill will take centerstage in the Charles E. Maedgen, Jr. Theatre. The season also includes “Fall Dance Festival,” a capstone project for fourth-year dance students; Sarah Delappe’s award-winning drama “The Wolves,” a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize; “DanceTech,” the annual showcase of dance faculty choreography featuring the work of a soon-to-be-announced guest artist; and the zany roller-skating musical adventure “Xanadu.”

“Knowing the immense talent of our students, and now, what our new spaces can foster, we chose a lineup for this season that shows off both – using all the spaces in our spectacular new facility while also offering plays that challenge our students and serve our community,” said Charney. “This is a season I know audiences will enjoy.”

2023-24 Season:

“Water by the Spoonful” by Quiara Alegria Hudes, Oct. 11-15, 2023

Directed by guest artist Nadia Guevara

The CH Foundation Legacy of Christine Devitt Black Box Theatre

Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize, “Water by the Spoonful” is a heartfelt meditation on lives on the brink of redemption.

“The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill; in collaboration with Elisabeth Hauptmann; English translation by Michael Feingold; with music based on John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera”, Nov. 1-5, 2023

Directed by Bill Gelber; music direction by Chris Smith

Charles E. Maedgen Jr. Theatre

Written in 1928, with a jazzy score by Kurt Weill, “The Threepenny Opera” is one of the most influential works in musical theater history.

Fall Dance Fest 2023, Nov. 15-18, 2023

Charles E. Maedgen Jr. Theatre

Showcasing exciting new work, Fall Dance Festival is a capstone project featuring choreography by fourth-year students in the dance program.

“The Wolves” by Sarah DeLappe, Feb. 2-4 & 8-11, 2024

Directed by Amanda Baschnagel

The CH Foundation Legacy of Christine Devitt Black Box Theatre

A portrait of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals.

DanceTech 2024, Feb. 22-24, 2024

Charles E. Maedgen Jr. Theatre

“DanceTech” returns to the Maedgen Theatre stage, featuring a new collection of choreography by Texas Tech dance faculty and a soon-to-be announced guest artist.

Xanadu book by Douglas Carter Beane; music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar; based on the Universal Pictures film; screenplay by Richard Danus and Marc Rubel, April 17-21, 2024

Directed by Jesse Jou

Charles E. Maedgen Jr. Theatre

This hilarious Tony Award-nominated roller-skating musical adventure follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from the heavens of Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980.

Curtain times for the season are 7:30 p.m. for Tuesday through Saturday performances, and 2 p.m. Sundays. All performances will be held in the School of Theatre & Dance Complex at 2812 18th St. between Boston and Flint avenues.

Season tickets are on sale now through the Maedgen Theatre Box Office. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the School of Theatre and Dance website or call (806) 742-3603.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech School of Theatre & Dance announces 2023-24 season