Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance

About the Theatre

At Kent State University, our students are encouraged to discover their potential, make bold choices and recognize their ability to define success on their own terms. Our comprehensive programs are rooted in a professional culture that inspires students to train for the dynamic disciplines of theatre and dance as they transform their passion into their profession. Every academic year, the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University educates its students and entertains the local community through main stage productions and concerts, student-organized productions and other special events.

Review: BRIGADOON at Porthouse/Kent State University

by Roy Berko · August 11, 2026

In order to create authentic dances for Pothouse’s BRIGADOON, if social media pictures can be trusted, during rehearsals Martin Céspedes, the shows choreographer, wore a kilt.  The results are the captivating visual movements that light up the stage.…

Review: MEAN GIRLS at BECK CENTER

by Roy Berko · July 28, 2026

Tina Fay’s MEAN GIRLS, with the right level of farce can be a delightful experience.   Beck’s staging, inspite of a talented cast, was pleasant.  It could have been great with the right concept.  Go?, Of course! Most audience members, as displayed by the standing ovation at the end of the…

Review: SIDE SHOW IN CONCERT at Porthouse Theatre

by Roy Berko · July 17, 2026

Another exposure as Cleveland Heights’s Cain Park outstanding production directed by Victoria Bussert the present Director of Oberlin College’s Musical Theater program, which featured Gregg Violand, who will be featured, later this season, in Porthouse’s BRIGADOON.…

Review: MONET TO MATISSE: DEFYING TRADITION at Art Gallery Of South Australia

by Barry Lenny · July 13, 2026

An experience that may possibly require more than one visit.…

Review: GREASE at PORTHOUSE/Kent State University

by Roy Berko · June 24, 2026

GREASE, Porthouse-style, is a nostalgic reminder of the era of mid-1900’s and left those of a certain-age satisfied and maybe those of the Information Age/Digital Age asking “what was the attitude, grease and angst” all about.  …

Review: MEAN GIRLS at Akron Civic Theater

by Patti Kullman · June 19, 2026

Young performers overcame weather and sound issues to bring the vibrant, musical retelling of the 2004 film Mean Girls to the vintage, nostalgic Akron Civic Theater.…

Review: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE NATIONAL TOUR at Stranahan Theatre

by Julie Zatko · June 17, 2026

The national tour of A Beautiful Noise rocks into town this week, bringing enough sequins to light up all of Toledo. As the final engagement of Broadway in Toledo’s 2025–2026 season, this musical offers a closer look at the life of Neil Diamond while delivering a thoroughly entertaining evening …

Review: THE GREAT GATSBY: A NEW MUSICAL at Connor Palace

by Steve Sucato · June 12, 2026

THE GREAT GATSBY: A NEW MUSICAL is Surprisingly Great…

Review: FREAK THE MIGHTY at Cleveland Play House

by Julie Zatko · June 2, 2026

What did our critic think of FREAK THE MIGHTY at Cleveland Play House?…

Review: THE WIZ at Stranahan Theatre

by Julie Zatko · May 27, 2026

Dorthy Gale arrives at Stranahan Theater by tornado (and tour bus!) as Broadway in Toledo brings the National Tour of The Wiz to town this week. I had a delightful night easing on down the road with familiar characters reimagined in a creative and moving way. The production is top-quality, featuring…

The Book of Will

Apr 17 – Apr 26, 2026

By Lauren Gunderson Directed by Tony F. Sias, 2025-2026 Roe Green Visiting Director Without William Shakespeare, we wouldn’t have literary masterpieces like “Romeo and Juliet.” But without Henry Condell and John Heminges, we would have lost half of Shakespeare’s plays forever!...

Something Rotten!

Feb 20 – Mar 1, 2026

Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O'Farrell Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick Directed by Terri Kent Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as...