Matrix Theatre Company News

The Matrix Theatre Company opened their 2016-2017 season with Sizwe Bansi is Dead, an incredibly thought provoking play, by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona. The three-man play directed by Oliver Pookrum is a powerful story about man living under apartheid rule in South Africa whose only hope for financially supporting his family means he must relinquish his very name.

The Matrix Theatre Company opens its 2016-2017 season with Sizwi Bansi is Dead by Athol Fugard on September 23rd in Detroit. It is a powerful play that weaves the story of a man living under apartheid rule in South Africa whose only hope for financially supporting his family means he must relinquish his very name. Director Oliver Pookrum explains the play as 'it's an important life affirming experience about the power of perseverance, belief, and having a positive attitude about your future.'

Matrix Theatre Company opens its 2016-17 season with Sizwe Bansi is Dead by Athol Fugard onFriday, September 23, 2016. This powerful play weaves the story of a man living under apartheid rule in South Africa whose only hope for financially supporting his family means he must relinquish his very name.  The show runs through Sunday, October 16, 2016 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.

The Vagrancy, a critically acclaimed and award- winning theatre company, proudly welcomes Abbey Fenbert and Kyle Wilson on board to serve as the new Co-Literary Managers.

Join the Matrix School of Theatre this fall as they present, D*Versity: A Community of Stories.  Students are invited to, "Tell your story!" Specially prepared curriculums are developed for three age groups as they are guided and encouraged to tell their story of art (ages 5 - 7), cultures (ages 8 - 11), and perspectives (ages 11 - 14). All classes take place at Matrix Theatre located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of Detroit's Mexicantown. For further information, or to register for classes, call 313 967 0999, ext. 3, or visit matrixtheatre.org. "We have created some very special programs for this year's School of Theatre," said Director of Education Amy Thomas. "We expect sessions to fill up quickly, so we encourage early registration."

Matrix Theatre Company is delighted to announce an exciting special program, a playwriting intensive with award-winning playwright, Noah Haidle, running through the summer and fall of 2016. The Playwriting Intensive with Noah Haidle is for youth ages 14 – 18, and runs Mondays and Wednesdays 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, July 18 through October 22.

Award-winning Matrix Theatre Company's 2016 - '17 Mainstage Season offers a lineup of plays which includes insightful stories, compelling historical perspectives, and a bit of satirical comedy thrown in for good measure! Opening the season in September is Sizwe Bansi is Dead by Athol Fugard, followed by Lisa Kron's 2.5 Minute Ride in November. Abbey Fenbert's satirical play, Intentions, opens in February. In June, Dream Deferred: Detroit, 1967, an original work featuring a series of thought-provoking interviews compiled by Dr. Xavier Nicholas, closes out the season. Individual tickets go on sale Monday, July 25, 2016. Prices range from $15 to $20. A Season Flex Pass may be purchased at reduced rates. Group rates are available for most shows. All plays are performed at Matrix Theatre located in the heart of Mexicantown at 2730 Bagley, Detroit, MI 48216. For further information on the 2016-'17 season, or to order tickets, go to www.matrixtheatre.org or call 313-967-0599.

Theater professionals from across Michigan will gather Aug. 29 when The 2016 Wilde Awards are presented at The Berman Center for the Performing Arts in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield. Presented by EncoreMichigan.com, the most comprehensive resource for news and information about the state's professional theater industry, The Wilde Awards were established in 2002 to honor the excellent work produced by Michigan's professional theaters.

Preview performances begin at The Pasadena Playhouse (39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena) today, June 2, 2016 with the official press opening on June 5, 2016 at 7 p.m. THE MADWOMAN IN THE VOLVO will play through June 26, 2016.

?This year's Matrix Summer Creativity Camp participants will explore their community and learn skills related to the theatre and visual arts, as they work with professional teaching artists to create and share original works which reflect the changes they want to see in their community.

Matrix Theatre Company, Michigan's premier producer of community-based, social justice theatre, announced their new Executive Director, Mary Ann McCourt, one month ahead of its 25th Anniversary Extravaganza.

?Vocalist Kate Brennan and pianist Harvey Reed present their newest cabaret show 'Dueling Favorites' with Ibrahim Jones on bass, Friday, June 10 at Matrix Theatre located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of southwest Detroit's Mexicantown. The show begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $50. This popular show is usually a sellout and seating is limited, so call 313 967 0599 now to reserve tickets, or order online at www.matrixtheatre.org. 

?The young artists at the Matrix School of Theatre bring the new inspirational play Stand Up! to life for audiences of all ages this June. Performances run June 3 - 5 on Friday and Saturday at 7PM and Sunday at 3PM and take place at Matrix Theatre Company, located at 2730 Bagley Street, Detroit, MI 48216. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and can be reserved or purchased by calling (313) 967-0599 or by visiting matrixtheatre.org.

Last year's staged reading of Motherhood Out Loud was so popular that Matrix Theatre Company has brought it back for four performances over Mother's Day weekend. Performances for this limited engagement run are May 6 - 8, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday at 3pm at Matrix Theatre located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of southwest Detroit.

Matrix School of Theatre classes begin for young thespians ages 5 - 18, April 26 through June 5. Classes run Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:30 and Saturdays, 10 am - 1 pm. The program culminates in a final show with performances on Friday and Saturday, June 3 and 4 at 7 pm and Sunday, June 5 at 3 pm. All performances are at Matrix Theatre Company located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of Detroit's Mexicantown, with ticket prices $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Call Amy Thomas at 313 967 0999, ext. 3 for further information. Cost for the class is $125.  

?In honor of Matrix Theatre Company's 25th anniversary, the Teen Company's Spring show, Collage 2016, will be comprised of scenes from some of the theatre's most memorable original plays. With over 150 scripts to choose from, the youth artists carefully selected passages from nine of the originally written shows. Performances run from April 8 - April 17 and take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. All Collage 2016 performances are at Matrix Theatre Company located at 2730 Bagley in the heart of Detroit's Mexicantown, with ticket prices $12 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Call Amy Thomas at 313 967 0999, ext. 3 for further information.

Continuing its inaugural season, Detroit Public Theatre will heat up the late winter & early spring nights as it presents SEX WITH STRANGERS, running tonight, March 9, through April 3, 2016.

Continuing its inaugural season, Detroit Public Theatre will heat up the late winter & early spring nights as it presents SEX WITH STRANGERS, running March 9 - April 3, 2016.

?The Theatre Company of University of Detroit Mercy and Matrix Theatre Company announce their first joint production of the Midwest premiere of Robin Bradford's "Low Hanging Fruit." Performances will be held at The Marlene Boll Theatre at the Boll Family Y.M.C.A. March 3 through 20, 2016.   The production is a part of a larger initiative to raise awareness and support for female homeless veterans in the Metro Detroit area.

How often have you wondered what it would be like to go back in time and talk to an historical icon? Katori Hall's THE MOUNTAINTOP is a gripping and often humorous re-imagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that won London's 2010 Olivier Award for best new play. It's one of the best ways imaginable to honor Dr. King, Black History Month and the Black Lives Matter movement by experiencing its Los Angeles premiere at the Matrix Theatre, directed by Obie Award-winner Roger Guenveur Smith and starring Larry Bates and Danielle Truitt. I cannot imagine any two actors more suited to step into the shoes of these two characters, having worked together in a previous production of the play at San Diego Rep, also directed by Smith.