The Encore Musical Theatre Company is Southeast Michigan’s premier professional musical theatre, committed to producing high-quality musicals and live music performances that entertain, inspire, and bring communities together. Recognized by the performers’ union, Actors’ Equity Association, The Encore is a not-for-profit professional musical theatre company located in historic Dexter, Michigan. Our mission is to create the highest quality theatrical productions with an emphasis on musical theatre, utilizing both nationally and locally sourced professional artists to bring stories to life in our uniquely intimate space.
The Encore was founded in 2008 by Broadway actor Dan Cooney and local residents Anne and Paul Koch. All three shared a love for the charming “Village of Dexter” and a belief that what would make it even more vibrant was a theater. Over the past 15 years, the Encore has produced over 190 productions, concerts and other special events, including many Golden Age classics, powerful contemporary musicals, new works, and diverse concert offerings.
In our 15-year history, we have played host to many Broadway and award-winning artists including Tony Walton (Tony, Emmy and Oscar winner), Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, Smash, Supergirl), Kahil El’Zabar (legendary modern jazz multi-instrumentalist), Kathie Lee Gifford (Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee, Daytime Emmy winner), Alice Ripley (Tony Award-winning Broadway actor), John McDaniel (The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Emmy and Grammy winner), Telly Leung (Aladdin, Glee), Jessica Grové (The Wizard of Oz, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Erika Henningsen (Mean Girls), Gary Adler (Avenue Q, Alter Boyz), Aaron LaVigne (Jesus Christ Superstar), Janet Allard (Playwright, Fulbright Fellow), Niko Tsakalakos (Composer/Lyricist), Larry Gatlin (The Gatlin Brothers), Conor Ryan (Moulin Rouge), Ali Ewoldt (The Phantom of the Opera), Hugh Panaro (The Phantom of the Opera) and many others.
The Encore is home to a successful Summer Theatre Program that began in 2010, educating children ages 5-18 each summer. The popular program has grown to over 150 students yearly, and provides a nurturing and safe space for children to create, explore, make lasting friendships and build their confidence.
Thanks to a great deal of community support, The Encore continues to thrive and contribute significantly to the economic and cultural richness of Dexter and Southeast Michigan.
3x GRAMMY-winning duo Dan & Shay brought their “The Young Tour” to the Acrisure Amphitheater on Friday, as part of their North America tour, in support of their forthcoming studio album, Young. Arriving this past August via Warner Records Nashville, the 26-date run will feature support from T…
Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling country duo of all time and most-awarded artists in CMA history, extend their NEON MOON TOUR into 2026. The Country Music Hall of Famers brought their “don’t miss” (Whiskey Riff) live show to Acrisure Amphitheater on Friday, September 25, with special guests Wil…
In 2025, her songs 'Tequila and Whiskey' and 'Homewrecker' went viral on TikTok. Soon after, Avalon released her debut album, Southern Belle Raisin' Hell, on January 17, 2025. She used her mugshot from a previous arrest for the album's cover. David Lee Murphy is best recognized by his massive hit…
Some people know innately who they are and what they stand for. Within minutes of any interaction with Craig Morgan, it’s clear God, family, and country are his foundation. The veteran hitmaker continues to celebrate those pillars on his new EP, American Soundtrack. “I try to celebrate God, f…
It’s the kind of story you read about in books and watch on the big screen at the movies. For the band ALABAMA, it’s not just a story; it’s their life. It’s a classic American tale of rags to riches. From humble beginnings picking cotton in the fields to international stars that went on to s…
We were fortunate to head back to the Acrisure Amphitheater last weekend, this time to hear Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban take the stage for his “Stage, Screen, and Symphony” tour in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The …
We were fortunate to head back out to the Accurasure Amplitheatre last weekend for the Thomas Rhett The Soundtrack to Life tour, with special guests Conner Smith and Emily Ann Roberts (who had a very Dolly Parton-style approach to singing and storytelling).…
We were fortunate to attend the second-to-last stop on Lindsey Stirling’s Duality Tour, after her most recent album of the same name. This concert came at the right time for me personally, as I had gotten some rough news earlier in the day, that was very unexpected, and had debated attending the s…
Kentucky-raised and Nashville-based, Mary Kutter writes songs that live in the gray area, blurring genre lines and creative narratives. Drawing from country storytelling and rock-leaning intensity, her music favors sharp images over easy answers. As both a songwriter and recording artist, Kutter gra…
Hank Williams, Jr.'s rescheduled tour stop this past Friday at the Acrisure Amphitheater was nothing short of impressive and worth the wait from the original date, which was moved due to wildfire smoke from Canada reducing the Air quality in Michigan, and making it not good to be outside for extend…
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The Encore Musical Theatre Company proudly presents Next to Normal, running January 31st through February 24th, 2019. Next to Normal is directed by Wilde Award Winner Matthew Brennan and music directed by Leah Fox.Next to Normal is a 2008 American rock musical that explores how...
The Encore Musical Theatre Company proudly presents Hello, Dolly!, running November 15th through December 23rd, 2018. Hello, Dolly! is directed by Jamie Colburn, music directed by Casey Baker, and choreographed by Rachel Costantino. Hello, Dolly! is a musical with music and...
The Encore Musical Theatre Company proudly presents A Little Night Music, running September 20th through October 14th, 2018. A Little Night Music is directed and choreographed by Matthew Brennan and music directed by Dr. Joseph D. Daniel. A Little Night Music is a musical with...
West Side Story is a musical with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. The story is set in the Upper West Side neighborhood in New York City in the mid 1950s, an...
The Encore Musical Theatre Company opens the developmental premiere of INTO THE WILD on April 14th. Based on the novel of the same name by Jon Krakauer, and ‘Back to the Wild’ by the Christopher J. McCandless Foundation, INTO THE WILD is written by Janet Allard (Book and Lyrics)...
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Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre (11/19-11/22) |
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La Rondine (The Swallow) Power Center for the Performing Arts (11/05-11/08) |
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What Could Possibly Go Wrong? A Musical Theatre Cabaret of Love, Lies and Bad Decisions Theatre NOVA (11/06-11/15) |
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Blood at the Root The Hilberry Gateway (3/06-4/03) |
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August Wilson's Seven Guitars Detroit Repertory Theatre (5/21-6/27) |
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Women's Glee Concert Spring Concert Hill Auditorium (4/10-4/10) |
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The Outsiders Cobb Great Hall (6/22-6/27) |
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Silent Sky Kalamazoo Civic Theatre (11/06-11/15) |
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Maybe Happy Ending DeVos Performance Hall (11/10-11/15) |
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WMU Theatre Presents Kinky Boots Gilmore Theatre Complex (10/30-11/15) |
