The School of Theatre & Dance’s 2025-26 season features a mix of plays, dance concerts and musical theater. Pictured is the college’s 2023 performance of “Skin of Our Teeth” by Thornton Wilder.
The School of Theatre & Dance at the University of Houston’s Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts is pleased to announce its 2025-26 season, featuring a vibrant mix of devised work, classical adaptations, contemporary plays, musical theater, student-written premieres and innovative dance concerts.
The season opens this fall with “The Circadian Project,” a devised physical theater piece created in collaboration with the genre-defying, award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre and UH students. This original work promises a boundary-pushing exploration of movement and storytelling.
Following is Naomi Iizuka’s “Anon(ymous),” a poetic and imaginative reimagining of Homer’s “Odyssey.” The play follows a young refugee, Anon, on a journey to reunite with his mother after being separated during a perilous sea voyage while fleeing violence.
The Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre will reopen this fall after nearly two years of renovations, welcoming audiences back with “Frankenstein,” Nick Dear’s gripping adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece. A story of ambition, creation and consequence, “Frankenstein” resonates in today’s age of artificial intelligence and technological pursuit.
“Our 2025-26 season celebrates the power of live performance across a wide spectrum. From the haunting beauty of ‘Frankenstein’ to the vibrant energy of student choreography and award-winning new plays, this season offers something for every audience.”
— Sharon Ott, director of the School of Theatre & Dance
This spring’s performances launch with “Restoration Comedy,” Amy Freed’s witty mash-up of Colley Cibber’s “Love’s Last Shift” and John Vanbrugh’s “The Relapse.” This bawdy and energetic romp will play in the Jose Quintero Theatre.
The spring mainstage musical is “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” with music and lyrics by William Finn and book by Rachel Sheinkin. The Tony Award-winning musical blends humor, heart and improvisation as it follows an eclectic group of adolescents (played by adults) vying for spelling glory.
Dance continues to play a central role in the School of Theatre & Dance’s programming. On Dec. 5 and 6, the school presents the Emerging Choreographers Showcase, a dynamic concert featuring original works by UH student choreographers. Each piece offers a distinct voice and choreographic perspective, resulting in an evening of bold, intelligent and inspiring dance.
The dance season culminates this spring with Creative Exchange: UH Dance Faculty and Guest Artist Concert. This performance features compelling new works by UH dance faculty and acclaimed guest artists, showcasing the cutting-edge voices shaping contemporary dance today.
Student-written work also takes center stage this season. In the fall, UH will present “Breaking the Bands,” a new play by Samantha Ray. In the spring, the annual 10-Minute Play Festival will highlight short plays by emerging UH playwrights.
The school continues its tradition of excellence following national acclaim in 2025, when Sage Mitchell’s “Everything Rises” won the Kennedy Center’s Rosa Parks Playwriting Award.
“Our 2025-26 season celebrates the power of live performance across a wide spectrum,” said Sharon Ott, director of the School of Theatre & Dance. “From the haunting beauty of ‘Frankenstein’ to the vibrant energy of student choreography and award-winning new plays, this season offers something for every audience.”
Performance Details
“The Circadian Project”
- Sept. 25, 26 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sept. 27 and 28 at 1:30 p.m.
- Location: Studio 208
“Anon(ymous)” by Naomi Iizuka
- Oct. 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.; and Oct. 5, 11 and 12 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Quintero Theatre
“Frankenstein” by Nick Dear (updated dates)
- Nov. 14 and 15 and Nov. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Wortham Theatre
“Breaking the Bands” by Samantha Ray
- Nov. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Quintero Theatre
Emerging Choreographers
- Dec. 5 at noon and 7:30 p.m.; and Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Wortham Theatre
“Restoration Comedy” by Amy Freed
- Feb. 27 and 28 and March 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.; and Feb. 28 and March 1, 7 and 8 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Quintero Theatre
Creative Exchange: UH Dance Faculty and Guest Artist Concert
- March 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.; and March 8 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Wortham Theatre
“25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” by Rachel Sheinkin
- April 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.; and April 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Wortham Theatre
10-Minute Play Festival
- May 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m.; and May 2 and 3 at 2 p.m.
- Location: Quintero Theatre
Tickets
- General public: $30
- Staff/faculty/alumni: $25
- Seniors and students: $25
- Student tickets for “Breaking the Bands,” 10-Minute Plays and Emerging Choreographers: $10
Get Tickets
Contact the KGMCA Box Office or purchase tickets online.