Mandell Presents
Ladies of Hip Hop
Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind
October 10, 2024 | 7PM | Mandell Theater
“If I could speak my mind, what would I say?” The Ladies of Hip
Hop Collective responds to this question through new writings (spoken word
tracks), music, and movement spanning dance styles from African to waacking,
vogue, hip hop, and house. Curated under the direction of Michele
Byrd-McPhee, The Black Dancing Bodies Project is an initiative to uplift and
celebrate Black women in street and club dance culture, addressing the
erasure and miscoding of Black women’s contributions to American dance
culture. The Black Dancing Bodies Project: Speak My Mind reclaims
community stories, gestures, mannerisms, hairstyles, dances, and cultural
norms.
Artist discussion immediately following the performance.
Engage more with this artist!
The driving force behind LOHH, Michele Byrd-McPhee is a 2024-25 Rankin
Scholar-in-Residence for Drexel’s Antionette Westphal College of Media
Arts and Design. A 2023 Bessie Award winner for Outstanding Service to the
Field, Michele is a street dance activist and creative visionary who works
to decolonize hip-hop culture along gender, cultural socio-historical, and
racial lines. Michele Byrd-McPhee’s visit to Drexel includes a
week-long residency, October 8-11, 2024.
Tickets are free but
registration
is required.
Dance
Fall Dance Lecture
with guest Michele Byrd-McPhee
October 8, 2024 | 6:30 PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Rankin Scholar-in-Residence Series
The artistic engagement of Ladies of Hip-Hop (LOHH) along with Founder and
Executive Director Michele Byrd-McPhee is part of the 24/25 Rankin
Scholars-in-Residence Series. The Rankin Scholar-in-Residence Series, named
in honor of former Dean Marjorie Rankin and established through the
continuing donations of her friends and colleagues, seeks to bring noted
individuals to campus who excel in the multidisciplinary education
championed by the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.
The goal of the series is to inspire students, stimulate faculty, invigorate
the professional field, and contribute to the Drexel community.
This event is free and open to the public. Register here!
Theatre
Drexel Theatre Program presents:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Based on the novel by Mark Haddon
Adapted by Simon Stephens
Directed by Esther M Cohen
Program
Winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play, this story is about young
Christopher who has an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at mathematics
but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone
beyond the end of his road let alone into the frantic city of nearby London,
he can’t stand being touched, and he distrusts strangers. Christopher
has just discovered his neighbor’s deceased dog, Wellington, on his
front lawn. He is determined to solve the murder, and his detective work
will lead him on a thrilling journey to uncover more secrets that will
ultimately change his life forever.
Content Warnings:
The production includes the use of adult language, child abuse and self-harm, panic attacks, discussions of adult relationships, animal death and abuse, and the depiction of the mistreatment of an individual who is neurodiverse.
Show Schedule
Preview: November 14, 2024 | 8:00 pm
Opening: November 15, 2024 | 8:00 pm
November 16, 21, 22*, 23, 2024 | 8:00 pm
November 17**, 2024 | 2:00 pm
*School Matinee | Fri Nov 22 | 10:00 AM
This special additional matinee performance is exclusively for school groups (grades
6-12). School teachers and administrators reserve tickets by contacting the
Mandell Box Office at dpaboxoffice@drexel.edu.
** Postshow Panel | Sun Nov 17th |
There will be a panel discussion about the representation of Neurodiversity in the show immediately following the show.
The panel guests will include: Moderated by Michael Stahler, professional actor/director and the Dramaturg and Asst Director on The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Dr. Amy Edwards, Director of the Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, Students from The Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, and Esther M Cohen, Director of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Mandell Theater
Tickets
General Admission $20
Non-Drexel Students $15
Drexel Student/Faculty/Staff/Industry $10
Register
here!
Follow us on social media!
Facebook:
@drexeltheatreprogram
YouTube:
Theatre Program at Drexel
Instagram:
@drexeltheatreprogram
END-OF-TERM SHOWCASE
URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Sat Dec 7, 2025
Musical Theatre Cabaret | 1:00 PM
Director’s Lab | 7:00 PM
Advanced Improv | 8:30 PM
This event is free, but tickets are required.
Fall Music Concert Series
Percussion Ensemble & Experimental Music Ensemble
Sun Dec 1 | 3:00 PM
Creese Student Center
Chamber Strings
Tue Dec 3 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Fusion Band & Rock Ensemble
Tue Dec 3 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Mediterranean Ensemble
Wed Dec 4 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Jazz Orchestra & Jazztet
Thu Dec 5 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Drexel University Symphony Orchestra
Fri Dec 6 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Gospel Choir
Sat Dec 7 | 7:00 PM
Mandell Theater
All College Choir, Chamber Brass & Winds
Sat Dec 7 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
University Chorus
Sun Dec 8 | 3:00 PM
Great Court (In Main Building)
Concert Band
Sun Dec 8 | 7:00 PM
Mandell Theater
All events are free but registration is required. Register
here.
Follow us on social media!
Instagram: @drexelperformingarts
Dance
Drexel Dance Ensemble Winter Performance
See an exciting evening of dance featuring Ellen Forman winner Yuki
Ishiguro, professional guest artists, and dance faculty. Bodies exchanging
ideas, dancing in community, and a visual landscape for all!
February 7-8, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Mandell Theater
FreshDance Winter Performance
Come celebrate our first-year dance ensemble students as they premiere
diverse and engaging works on the Mandell stage! These performances feature
the work of professional and student choreographers in multiple genres.
February 6, 2025 | 7:30 pm
February 8, 2025 | 2pm
Mandell Theater
General Admission: $15
Drexel Students: $5
Tickets will be available here.
Follow us on social media! @drexeldance
Theatre
Drexel Theatre Program Presents: Mantua Theater Project's
The Super Power Plays!
Featuring plays written by the young playwrights of the Mantua Theater
Project from the Belmont Charter School
Directed by Nick Anselmo
Join us for these insightful, whimsical, and touching stories featuring
characters based on animals, inanimate objects, and forces of nature. You
will love the creativity of these talented youth brought to life by Drexel
Theatre Program artists.
February 14, 2025 | 7pm | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
February 15, 2025 | 2pm & 7pm | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Tickets are free but registration is required. Please reserve tickets
here.
Philadelphia Young Playrights Play Development Series
Featuring 4 brand new plays, written by middle and high school students in collaboration with Philadelphia Young Playwrights as part of their Play Development Series.
February 22, 2025 | 2pm | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Tickets are free but reservations are strongly encouraged.
NewWorks Festival
Drexel’s Theatre Program partners with the Screenwriting/Playwriting
program for The NewWorks Festival!
The Festival brings to life plays written during the winter quarter in the
Page-To-Stage Class under the mentorship of Theatre Program professor, Bill
Fennelly. This developmental lab culminates in readings of the new plays by
student actors and stage managers working with professional directors.
March 15, 2025 | 7pm | URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Tickets are free but registration is required. Reserve your tickets
here.
Follow us on social media!
Instagram:
@drexeltheatreprogram
END-OF-TERM SHOWCASE
URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Sat March 15, 2025
Musical Theatre Cabaret | 1:00 PM
Advanced Improv | 8:30 PM
This event is free, but tickets are required.
Winter Music Concert Series
Concert Band
Mon Mar 3 | 7:00 PM
Mandell Theater
Chamber Strings
Tue Mar 4 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Fusion Band & Rock Ensemble
Tue Mar 11 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Mediterranean Ensemble
Wed Mar 12 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Jazz Orchestra & Jazztet
Thu Mar 13 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Drexel University Symphony Orchestra
Fri Mar 14 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Gospel Choir
Sat Mar 15 | 7:00 PM
Mandell Theater
All College Choir, Chamber Brass & Winds
Sat Mar 15 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Percussion Ensemble & Experimental Music Ensemble
Sun Mar 16 | 3:00 PM
Mandell Theater
University Chorus
Sun Mar 16 | 3:00 PM
Great Court (In Main Building)
Tickets
are free but registration is required.
Follow us on social media!
Instagram: @drexelperformingarts
Theatre
Urinetown, The Musical
Music & Lyrics by Mark Hollman
Book & Lyrics by Greg Kotis
Directed by Peter Reynolds
Urinetown is a hilarious and timely musical tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a dystopian future when there is a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought. This has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets forcing the citizens to use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity’s most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides he’s had enough, and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.
Preview Thu May 8 | 8:00 PM
Opening Fri May 9 | 8:00 PM
Sat May 10 | 8:00 PM
Sun May 11 | 2:00 PM
Thu-Sat May 15-17 | 8:00 PM
Mandell Theater
Tickets are available here.
END-OF-TERM SHOWCASES
URBN Annex Black Box Theater
Sat Jun 7, 2025
Musical Theatre Cabaret | 1:00 PM
Director’s Lab | 7:00 PM
Advanced Improv | 8:30 PM
This event is free, but tickets are required.
Follow us on social media!
Instagram:
@drexeltheatreprogram
Dance
Drexel Dance Ensemble Spring Performance
May 29-May 31, 2025 | 7:30pm | Mandell Theater
FreshDance and Dance Ensemble join forces for our Spring series! These
captivating performances showcase the work of both leading professional
choreographers and the emerging artistic voices of students.
General Admission: $15
Drexel Students: $5
Tickets will be available here.
Follow us on social media!
@drexeldance
Spring Music Concert Series
Chamber Strings
Tue Jun 3 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Mediterranean Ensemble
Wed Jun 4 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Jazz Orchestra & Jazztet
Thu Jun 5 | 7:30 PM
Mandell Theater
Outdoor Music Jam
featuring Experimental Music Ensemble, Fusion Band, Percussion Ensemble
and Rock Ensemble
Fri Jun 6 | 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Lancaster Walk
Drexel University Symphony Orchestra
Fri Jun 6 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
Gospel Choir
Sat Jun 7 | 7:00 PM
Mandell Theater
All College Choir, Chamber Brass & Winds
Sat Jun 7 | 7:30 PM
Main Auditorium
University Chorus
Sun Jun 8 | 3:00 PM
Great Court (In Main Building)
Concert Band
Sun Jun 8 | 7:00 PM
Mandell Theater
Tickets are free but registration is required.
Follow us on social media!
Instagram:
@drexelperformingarts