Enjoy a night at the theater at Tattnall Square Center for the Arts this year with Mercer student actors, directors, designers, writers and stage managers at the helm. The 2024-25 Mercer Theatre season is meant to empower student creators to take leadership in vital areas on stage and behind the scenes.
This intention comes from the caliber of theater students available this year, said Frani Rollins, associate professor.
“This season we focus on undergraduate research, starting the year with a collection of works written by students and ending with a fully student-produced cabaret,” she said. “The current Mercer Theatre student cohort is strong, and this year we are excited to highlight the work of our seasoned upperclassmen and our eager and talented underclassmen.”
One highlight will be “The Colored Museum” by George C. Wolfe, which will be directed by senior Aniyah Parham as her capstone project for the theater and Africana studies programs. With 11 short, satirical scenes, the show deconstructs stereotypes around race in America using the metaphor of exhibits in a museum. The New York Times said that the original 1986 production of “The Colored Museum” had “uncompromising wit.”
Rollins looks forward to welcoming audiences throughout the year: “I believe every show this season will have patrons saying, ‘Wow, look what Mercer Theatre students can do!'”
2024-25 schedule
- Premier Performances — Sept. 26-29. Mercer Theatre is starting its student-centered season with an evening of works written, directed, performed, designed and managed by Mercer students. If you want to see what the students taking theater classes at Mercer can do, this is an evening of performances you won’t want to miss.
- “The Colored Museum” — Nov. 14-17 and Nov. 21-24. Step into a world of vivid storytelling and profound social commentary with this groundbreaking play that has been challenging and captivating audiences. We invite you to enjoy this production, chosen as part of a senior capstone project, while exploring themes of race, identity and culture in a dynamic and unforgettable way.
- Student Cabaret — April 3-6. Mercer Theatre ends its student-centered season with an all student-created cabaret full of music, dance, dialogue and combat, to name a few. All Mercer students are welcome to be a part of this show.
An additional production will take place Feb. 13-23, with more details to be announced.
Mercer Theatre welcomes anyone to get involved in its productions throughout the year, even those who have not taken a theater class. To get involved, contact Rollins at rollins_f@mercer.edu
