Theatre and Dance - NMU Events and Announcements

Theatre and Dance

CO/LAB Dance Company is NMU’s resident on-campus dance company — an exciting opportunity to train in an environment modeled after a professional company while building your artistry, versatility, and collaborative skills. Company members participate in weekly company class and rehearsals every Friday from 1–5pm, working with faculty and guest artists to create and perform original work.

Auditions: Friday, April 24 at 1:00PM in McClintock 117. All participants should complete the audition form as soon as possible.

Commitment: Full academic year
2026–2027 Season Performance: March 18–20, 2027

Featured repertoire for the 2026–2027 season includes:

• A classical ballet production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream choreographed by Karina Johnson
• A contemporary ballet set to excerpts from Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons choreographed by Christopher Houston

In addition to Friday rehearsals, company members participate in:

• Pre-semester Choreography Bootcamp: August 17–21, 2026
• Additional rehearsals as season performance approaches: typically weekday evenings (except Sundays), 7–10pm
• All rehearsals required, including tech and dress rehearsals

CO/LAB offers a focused, supportive environment designed to help you grow as a performer while experiencing the expectations and rewards of company life. This is a fantastic opportunity to work closely with peers and faculty, develop professional habits, and perform in a fully produced concert as part of NMU Theatre & Dance’s vibrant season.

Audition specifics and a link to fill out your audition form (which must be completed in advance) are included HERE.

Learn more about NMU Theatre and Dance and CO/LAB Dance Company!

Theatre and Dance

Join us for the 5th Annual North Coast Dance Festival, a spectacular celebration of dance! Professional dancers from across the country will gather alongside the NMU CO/LAB Dance Company for engaging educational experiences and mesmerizing performances. Don't miss this unforgettable event filled with grace, talent, and artistry.

This event is generously supported by the Siril Endowment for the Arts.

FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE

APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 15MIN | 15min Intermission

Theatre and Dance

A Pride Celebration Event!

Join NMU Theatre and Dance for a DRAG CABARET to get us ready for Pride Month! Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Marquette and beyond as performers make the Panowski Black Box Theatre stage their own.

PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE

APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 30MINS

Theatre and Dance

2025 Panowski Playwriting Award Winner!

Becky, Billie, and Mariel are three lifelong friends in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When the three young women accept a dare and embark on a canoe trek in frigid waters, they find themselves stranded in the middle of Lake Superior. Dangerous conditions prevail, forcing them to face the choices they've made and the trappings of life in their hometown. A story about female friendship, motherhood, and the secrets we keep.

PANOWSKI BLACK BOX THEATRE

APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1HR 30MINS | NO INTERMISSION

Theatre and Dance

Celebrate the achievements of fellow Wildcats at the James Awards. These Theatre and Dance Alumni Awards honor graduates at all stages of their careers who have demonstrated excellence in Theatre, Dance, and Entertainment Arts.

Theatre and Dance

One night only! Join us in celebrating the work of our graduating seniors during this culminating showcase-style performance!

Theatre and Dance

Kick off your heels, crank up the volume, and join the rebellion! Based on the hit 1980 film and featuring an original score by country music legend Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud tale of friendship, revenge, and female empowerment in the workplace. 

Music & Lyrics by Dolly Parton and Book by Patricia Resnick

CONTENT WARNING: This production contains adult themes, including sexual harassment, misogyny, mild sexual references, mild adult language, simulated violence, and depictions of marijuana use. 

Perfromance Dates & Times:

• Thursday, April 9 -- 7:30pm (Opening Night Party)
• Friday, April 10 -- 7:30pm
• Saturday, April 11 -- 1:00pm (Theatre For All)
• Saturday, April 11 -- 7:30pm
• Thursday, April 16 -- 7:30pm
• Friday, April 17 -- 7:30pm
• Saturday, April 18 -- 1:00pm
• Saturday, April 18 -- 7:30pm

Theatre and Dance

Join the CO/LAB Dance Company for a unique night of dance! This mixed bill performance features a first act of student and faculty choreography, followed by a second act world premiere contemporary ballet showcasing the music of legendary musician Johnny Cash. Set to some of his most popular tunes, enjoy vignettes illuminating the variations of human relationships and experiences through dance!

Approximate Run Time: 1 hr | 15 min Intermission

Theatre and Dance

December 4-6 and 11-13, 2025

Composer & Lyricist: Johnny Marks

The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage!

Straight from the screen and onto the stage, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™: The Musical brings the timeless TV special to life in a magical production full of heart and holiday cheer. Featuring classic songs like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” this family favorite includes all your treasured characters—Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, and of course, Rudolph himself.

Shunned for his glowing red nose, Rudolph sets off on a journey to find a place where he truly belongs. Along the way, he meets other misfits with stories like his own—and discovers that being different is exactly what makes him special. When a fierce snowstorm threatens Christmas, it’s Rudolph’s uniqueness that lights the way and saves the day.

This heartwarming holiday musical is a joyful celebration of acceptance, friendship, and the courage to be yourself. Perfect for audiences of all ages, Rudolph reminds us that sometimes, the things that set us apart are the very things that make us shine.

Bring this uplifting tale to your stage—and let the spirit of the season soar!

FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE

APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 80MINS | 15min Intermission

Theatre and Dance

This cult classic humorously pays homage to B movies from the science fiction and horror genres spanning the 1930s to the early 1960s. The plot follows a newly engaged couple who, after being caught in a storm, find themselves at the mansion of a flamboyant transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter. There, they encounter his latest creation, Rocky—a Frankenstein-like figure who is a fully grown, physically perfect muscle man with blonde hair and a tan.

• Thursday, October 23rd | 7:30PM | Opening Night Party
• Friday, October 24th  | 7:30PM
• Friday, October 24th | 10:30PM
• Saturday, October 25th | 7:30PM
• Saturday, October 25th  | 10:30PM

FOREST ROBERTS THEATRE

MEANT FOR A MATURE AUDIENCE | APPROXIMATE RUN TIME: 1 HR 45 MINS | NO INTERMISSION