UR Free Theatre & Dance
The University of Richmond Department of Theatre & Dance believes in the power of theatre and dance to build community through art, and that access to the arts should not be limited in any way. In partnership with the School of Arts & Sciences, we have created the UR Free Theatre and Dance initiative in order to remove economic barriers and make theatre and dance accessible to everyone. We are committed to the theatre as a vibrant cultural force that engages audiences in meaningful and addresses important issues of our time through compelling live performances.
2023-2024 UR Free Theatre and Dance Season
White Pearl
By Anchuli Felicia King
Directed by Dorothy Holland
October 5–7, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.
October 8, 2022 | 2 p.m.
Cousins Studio Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts
In Singapore, Clearday™ has developed from a small startup into a leading international cosmetic brand in less than a year. But when a draft ad for the company’s latest skin whitening cream is leaked on YouTube, the video goes viral, gathering views and outrage. As morning nears in the U.S. market, views are in the thousands and climbing fast; Clearday’s all-female team hustles to contain the damage before Buzzfeed weighs in.
“A bracingly funny corporate satire." — The Guardian
FAIRVIEW
by Jackie Sibblies Drury
Directed by Chuck Mike
November 16-18, 2023 | 7:30 p.m.
November 19, 2023 | 2 p.m.
Cousins Studio Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama
The Frasier family is preparing to celebrate grandma’s birthday, cooking dinner, drinking wine, and hiding secrets. But what starts as a sitcom about a Black family explodes into a raucously brilliant look at the insidiousness of white supremacy.
“FAIRVIEW is a series of perspective-altering surprises, and they keep coming at you even when you think [Drury] must surely have emptied [her] bag of tricks… a glorious, scary reminder of the unmatched power of live theater to rattle, roil and shake us wide awake.” — The New York Times
MOVING | BODIES
BODIES | MOVING
University Dancers 39th Anniversary Concert
Directed by Anne Van Gelder
March 1–2, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
March 3, 2024 | 2 p.m.
Alice Jepson Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts
University Dancers celebrates 39 years of engaging dance with our annual concert that brings to the University of Richmond the work of three innovative guest choreographers, each of whom is based in New York City. Ephrat Asherie has trained her entire life in multiple genres of dance but identifies the styles of breaking, hip hop, and house as her choreographic vocabulary. Asherie's artistic aesthetic utilizes urban social dance as a means to educate and engage community and we are delighted for her to create her second work for the company. Larry Keigwin is the founder and artistic director of Keigwin + Company, a troupe known for its electrifying brand of contemporary dance. Mr. Keigwin’s choreography is theatrical, witty, and smart, engaging audiences with his refreshing vision of dance. Take Ueyama draws creative inspiration from his Japanese heritage as well as his athletic prowess as a baseball player in his youth. His repertoire has been inspired by the beauty in nature, the duality of darkness and light in the universal human condition, and the humanity and compassion in day-to-day living. Aligning with the department’s mission, the creative work by both Ephrat Asherie and Take Ueyama utilize contemporary dance to educate and engage community. The concert will also feature new works choreographed by Department of Theatre & Dance faculty Angelica Burgos, Alicia Díaz, Eric Rivera, and Anne Van Gelder. Outstanding adjudicated student choreography will be featured and department faculty member Johann Stegmeir will design costumes. Do not miss these talented dancers perform in a variety of contemporary works.
EVERYBODY
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Julie Fulcher
April 18–20, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.
April 21, 2024 | 2 p.m.
Alice Jepson Theatre, Modlin Center for the Arts
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who the New York Times calls “one of this country’s most original and illuminating writers,” brings us an inventive 21st-century riff on the 15th-century morality play, Everyman. In this contemporary tale, Everybody (chosen from amongst the cast by lottery at each performance) goes on a compelling journey through our greatest mystery—the meaning of living.
"Provocative and involving! Wildly funny!" — Huffington Post
“Everybody fills the heart in a new and unexpected way.” — The New Yorker
NOTE:
All performances are free for all, but reservations are required.
To reserve tickets visit the individual performance ticket links above, or visit the Modlin Center Box Office.
