Full Performance Calendar

Important Note: Tickets must be reserved for ALL Drexel Performing Arts events.

Fall 2023-24

Mandell Presents

Kristina Wong Food Bank Influencer
October 12, 2023 | 7PM | Mandell Theater

Read the program!

Prepare for this sneak preview of Pulitzer Finalist Kristina Wong’s newest work-in-process! During the historic joint labor strikes of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA in summer 2023, Kristina partnered with food bank World Harvest to provide free groceries to actors and writers until the end of the strike. In the new show, she will be creatively intervene with the food bank as:

An Immersive Experience,
A functional food bank,
A commentary on systems and distribution,
A treatise on food insecurity,
An illustration of how AI will impact humans, particularly those working in the arts.

Immediately following the performance, the audience may engage in discussion and feedback with Kristina Wong about this topic and her work in process. Contributions from our audience may very well find their way into Kristina’s world premiere of the finished work at ASU Gammage in Fall 2024!

Engage more with this artist!

Kristina Wong is a Doris Duke Artist Award winner, Guggenheim Fellow, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist in Drama. Her visit to Drexel includes artist residency activities for students on Wednesday, October 11.

Tickets are free but registration is required.

Dance

Fall Dance Lecture
with guest Pioneer Winter

November 3, 2023 | 6PM | URBN Annex Black Box Theater

Pioneer Winter (he/they) is a Miami-based choreographer and artistic director of Pioneer Winter Collective, an intergenerational and physically integrated dance-theater company, rooted in social practice and community, queer excellence, and beauty beyond the mainstream. Recognized in Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch, Pioneer Winter’s work democratizes performance in public spaces, museums and galleries, stage, and film. Most recently, their renowned duet Gimp Gait created in collaboration with Marjorie Layne Burnett is featured in the 2022 book Screendance from Film to Festival: Celebration and Curatorial Practice by Cara Hagan.

This event is free and open to the public.

Theatre

Drexel Theatre Program presents:The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Book by Joe Tracz
Music & Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Adapted from the book The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Directed by Kyle Metzger

This hard rocking musical adaptation of the bestselling young audience novel about teenager Percy Jackson who discovers he’s a demigod – whatever that means. He and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt, prevent a war among the gods, save the world, and learn about friendship in the process.

Show Schedule
Opening: November 10, 2023 | 7:00 pm
November 11, 16, 17, 18, 2023 | 8:00 pm
November 12, 2024 | 2:00 pm

Celebrate Mandell at 50!
Join us for a post-performance reception following the November 10th performance.

Mandell Theater

Tickets
General Admission $20
Non-Drexel Students $15
Drexel Student/Faculty/Staff/Industry $10

Facebook: @drexeltheatreprogram
YouTube: Theatre Program at Drexel
Instagram: @drexeltheatreprogram

Fall Music Concert Series

Percussion Ensemble + Experimental Music Ensemble
November 19, 2023 | 3PM | Creese Student Center

Fusion Band and Rock Ensemble
December 5, 2023 | 7:30PM | Mandell Theater

Chamber Strings
December 5, 2023 | 7:30PM | Main Auditorium

Jazz Orchestra
December 7, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater

This concert will feature Duke Ellington's arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker,” by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, and seasonable fun, and lively jazz music. 

Gospel Choir
December 8, 2023 | 7PM | Mandell Theater

Drexel University Symphony Orchestra
December 8, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Main Auditorium

Symphonies Rock I: Back on Track  
The music of diverse iconic composers from all genres of Western art music takes the stage alongside Ludwig van Beethoven’s most iconic work – Symphony No. 5 in C minor.

All College Choir and Chamber Brass and Winds
December 9, 2023 | 7PM | Main Auditorium

Mediterranean Ensemble
December 9, 2023 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater

University Chorus and Chamber Singers
December 10, 2023 | 3PM | Great Court, Main Building

Concert Band
December 10, 2023 | 7PM | Mandell Theater

Perspectives – Open Skies  
The striking features of the landscape of the American West have inspired artistry for hundreds of years – this program includes works by Aaron Copland, Dan Welcher, and John Mackey which draw themes from the landscapes and stories of the west.

All events are free but registration is required. Register here.

Winter 2023-24

Dance

Drexel Dance Ensemble Winter Performance

Come see an exciting evening of dance featuring Ellen Forman winner Kareem Goodwin, professional guest artists, and dance faculty.  Bodies exchanging ideas, dancing in community, and a visual landscape for all!  

February 9-10, 2024 | 7:30 pm
Mandell Theater

Celebrate Mandell at 50!
Join us for a post-performance reception following the February 9th performance.

FreshDance Winter Performance
Our first-year dance ensemble students explore dance that is captivating and passionate.  This concert will feature choreography by guest choreographers and faculty exploring modern, ballet, and hip-hop. 

February 8, 2024 | 7:30 pm
February 10, 2024 | 2pm
Mandell Theater

General Admission: $15

Drexel Students: $5

Tickets will be available here.

Theatre

Drexel Theatre Program Presents: Mantua Theater Project's No Way José!

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. The Mantua Theatre Project addresses the needs of Mantua/Powelton youth with self-affirming activities where they can realize their self-worth and the diversity of their imagination, using theater arts to foster positive experiences of success.

February 17, 2024 | 3:30pm & 7pm | URBN Annex Black Box Theater

Tickets are free but registration is required. Please reserve tickets here.

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 local playwright and professor Bruce Graham and award-winning director and 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 15-16, 2024 | 7pm | URBN Annex Black Box Theater

Tickets are free but registration is required. Reserve your tickets here.

Winter Music Concert Series

Percussion Ensemble + Experimental Music Ensemble
March 10, 2024 | 3PM | Mandell Theater

Fusion Band and Rock Ensemble
March 12, 2024 | 7:30PM | Mandell Theater

Chamber Strings
March 12, 2024 | 7:30PM | Main Auditorium

Jazz Orchestra
March 14, 2024 | 7:30 PM | Mandell Theater

Featuring saxophonist Greg Osby

The Drexel University Jazz Orchestra features musician, Saxophonist, composer, producer, educator, and curator Greg Osby. Osby will perform with the Jazz Orchestra featuring contemporary and legacy jazz arrangements.  

Gospel Choir
March 15, 2024 | 7PM | Mandell Theater

Drexel University Symphony Orchestra
March 15, 2024 | 7:30PM | Main Auditorium

Symphonies Rock II:  Winter Reset
DUSO will perform William Grant Still’s No. 4, subtitled “Autochthonous”. Featured soloist will be the winner of the DUSO Solo Competition, which is open to all members of the orchestra. 

All College Choir and Chamber Brass and Winds
March 16, 2024 | 7PM | Main Auditorium

Mediterranean Ensemble
March 16, 2024 | 7:30PM | Mandell Theater

University Chorus and Chamber Singers
March 17, 2024 | 3PM | Great Court

Concert Band
March 17, 2024 | 7PM | Mandell Theater

Perspectives – Wonder
Join the DUCB for an evening of music that celebrates life and inspires awe – symphonic works from Julie Giroux and John Mackey anchor this program and its celebration of Wonder.  

Tickets are free but registration is required.

Spring 2023-24

Mandell Presents

Mumu Fresh
April 18, 2024 | 7PM | Mandell Theater

Maimouna Youssef, also known as Mumu Fresh, is the critically acclaimed Afro-Indigenous singer, Emcee, songwriter, activist, workshop facilitator and audio engineer who’s been called a “quadruple threat” by The Roots’ Black Thought and “groundbreaking” by Oscar-winning artist, Common. With her expansive musical background ranging from Jazz, Gospel, Spirituals, traditional African & traditional Indigenous music, to Hip Hop, Soul, rock and experimental acapella fusion, this concert by Mumu Fresh and her phenomenal band is a multi-genre live music event not to miss.

The Band:
Demetrice Everett, Drums
Amber D. Gillispie, Background Vocals
Nile Hargrove, Keys
Lamonte Maccain, Bass
Darnell “Showcase” Taylor, Guitar

Engage more with this artist!
Maimouna Youssef is 23/24 artist-in-residence for ANTHEMS FOR THE ANTHROPOCENE, the climate change songwriting contest presented by Drexel Climate & Sustainability. The year’s contest will culminate at the Mandell Theater on Friday, April 19. Visit drexel.edu/sustainability for more information and announcements.

Tickets are free but registration is required.

Music

Masterclass with David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra

May 18, 2024 | 2pm | MacAlister 2032

The Music Program, in conjunction with the Drexel University Symphony Orchestra, is proud to host David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, for a string masterclass. David Kim is a world-renowned violinist and superb clinician.  While he will work with selected string students from the Drexel University Symphony Orchestra, this event is open to all interested spectators. Mr. Kim’s vast experience and incredible insight will thrill audience members, whether violinists or others from every musical background.  

This event is free and open to the Drexel Community

Theatre

Drexel Theatre Program Presents: Clue On Stage

Clue is adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn
Written by Sandy Rustin
Additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price
Original music composed by Michael Holland
Directed by Peter Reynolds

Based on the iconic 1985 movie and classic board game, Clue is a hilarious comedic farce-meets-murder mystery where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects.

Show Schedule
Opening: May 10, 2024 | 8pm
May 11, 16, 17, 18, 2024 | 8pm
May 12, 2024 | 2pm

Location
Mandell Theater

Tickets
General Admission: $20
Non-Drexel Students: $15
Drexel Student/Faculty/Staff/Industry: $10

Tickets are available here.

Dance

Drexel Dance Ensemble Spring Performance 
May 30-June 1, 2024 | 7:30pm | Mandell Theater

FreshDance and Dance Ensemble join forces for our Spring concert that dives into artistic research by leading professional artists in the field.  We will feature work by Guggenheim Fellow Silvana Cardell, other professional guest artists, and dance faculty. 

General Admission: $15
Drexel Students: $5

Student Works Dance Performance 

May 29 + May 31, 2024 | 7:30 pm |  Mandell Theater 

This concert will serve as a platform for student driven choreography. Through mentorship 
and creative research, students will dive into their own artistic impetus. Come see emerging artistic voices as they develop unique dance and performance.

General Admission: $15
Drexel Students: $5

Tickets for both concerts are available here.

Facebook+Instagram: @DrexelDance

Spring Music Concert Series

Chamber Strings
June 4, 2024 | 7:30PM | Main Auditorium

Jazz Orchestra & JazzTet
June 6, 2024 | 7:30PM | Mandell Theater

Alumnus Reunion!
This performance will showcase current students with the greater alum community in the spirit of swing. The music features the works from Art Blakely and Count Basie's songbook canon and will be sure to enrich and entertain.  

Outdoor Music Jam
June 7, 2024 | 1PM-4PM | Chestnut Square

Performances by Percussion Ensemble, Rock Ensemble, Experimental Music Ensemble, and Fusion Band

Concert Band
June 7, 2024 | 7:30PM | Mandell Theater

Perspectives: What We Hold Most Dear
Join the DUCB for What we hold most dear, a program full of affirmation of who we are as artists and musicians. Joined by special guest artists and featuring multiple Philadelphia Premiers of new music.  

Guest artists: Staff Sgt. Bradley Loudis, Victor Pablo Garcia Gaetan, Sean Bailey

Celebrate Mandell at 50!
Join us for a pre-performance reception at 6:30pm in the Mandell lobby.

All College Choir and Chamber Brass and Winds
June 8, 2024 | 7PM | Main Auditorium

Mediterranean Ensemble
June 8, 2024 | 7:30PM | Mandell Theater

University Chorus and Chamber Singers
June 9, 2024 | 3pm | Great Court, Main Building

Gospel Choir
June 9, 2024 | 5PM | Mandell Theater

Drexel University Symphony Orchestra
June 9, 2024 | 7:30PM | Main Auditorium

Symphonies Rock III: Romantic Tide  
DUSO’s final concert will feature Mozart, the genius whose later works only hint at how he might have evolved as a composer; and American Howard Hanson. David Kim, concertmaster, and Kirsten Johnson, Associate Principal Viola, both of the Philadelphia Orchestra, join DUSO in a performance of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante, K. 364 for Violin and Viola.

Tickets are available here.