theater

Silhouette of a person riding a horse with a banner beneath that reads "Brevity Shakespeare."

Brevity Shakespeare represents community in adaptation of 'Much Ado About Nothing'

By Hannah Borders · Saturday, May 9, 2026

Brevity Shakespeare is performing Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at the YPSI from May 22-31, 2026.

A red brick wall with a circular black sign hanging on it. There are four lines of white print on the sign. The first says "Ypsilanti, MI." The second says "Water," the third says "Tower," and the fourth says "Distilling Co." All of the letters on the sign are capitalized.

What's the Move? May 5-11

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, May 5, 2026

From musical performances to blues jams to play auditions, there are several events coming up in Ypsilanti.

A dog on a gray background with text that reads "The Hound of the Baskervilles by Tim Kelly. Based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

Ypsilanti's PTD Productions presents 'The Hound of the Baskervilles'

By Hannah Borders · Friday, May 1, 2026

PTD Productions presents "The Hound of the Baskervilles," a play by Tim Kelly based on the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

An ensemble of actors, puppets, musicians and stage hands pose for a photo on a stage.

Bug Pit Collaborative Arts to open auditions for upcoming production

By Gray Connor · Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Shared art meets wacky and abstract theater, open to all, at Ypsilanti's Bug Pit Collaborative Arts group.

Three people are positioned together, with two sitting in front and one standing behind the others. The stage lights softly illuminate their faces as they all stare off into the distance.

Eastern Michigan University Theatre brings new vision to 'Our Town'

By AnnaBelle Favre · Monday, April 13, 2026

Eastern Michigan University Theatre students will perform "Our Town," written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Pirooz Aghssa, April 16-19, 2026.

The edge of a brick building with a sign protruding from its right side. The sign is black and in the shape of the letter L. The top part of the sign says "Coworking" in white capital letters, and the word is written vertically. The bottom part of the sign says "BOS" in colorful capital letters, and beneath that, the words "Back Office Studio" are written in white capital letters. There is a row of trees with green leaves near the building, and the sky overhead is sunny.

What's the Move? Feb. 24 - March 2

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026

There is always something to do in Ypsilanti. Check out this list from The Eastern Echo of events coming up Feb. 24 - March 2, 2026.

The exterior of the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, a long, slender building made of red bricks with a dark green roof. A sign hanging from the building's roof says "Ypsilanti" in gold-colored letters. The sky overheard is blue, and there is a tree in the foreground of the photo that has lost most of its autumn leaves, which are now on the ground around it.

What's the Move? Feb. 3-9

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026

Get the scoop on what's happening in Ypsilanti from Feb. 3-9, 2026.

The Echo Q&A Series: Graduate theater student discusses life changes and the stage

By Benni Klenczar · Friday, Dec. 26, 2025

Eastern Michigan University graduate student Adam Wiseman talks teaching, theater, hobbies and his Jewish background.

Brevity Shakespeare to open 'Othello' with hopes of representing Ypsilanti community

By Katherine Tatomir · Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Brevity Shakespeare and PTD Productions' rendition of “Othello” is opening Nov. 13, 2025, at the Riverside Arts Center, located at 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti.

The Echo Q&A Series: Kristin Danko, Executive Director of Neighborhood Theatre Group

By Matt Hodges · Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Kristin Danko is the executive producer and founder of Neighborhood Theatre Group. In a conversation with The Echo, Danko reflected on the origin of the company, how it has grown over the years and its plans for the future.

About eighteen Eastern Michigan University students dance and pose onstage during a rehearsal of EMU Theatre's production of "The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical"

EMU Theatre's 'The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical' travels to Mount Olympus

By Josh Cromwell · Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025

This fall, Eastern Michigan University's theater department will present "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical."

Two actors dressed as armored knights ride brown horses past each other while jousting with long sticks.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival introduces new features for its 46th season

By Matt Hodges · Friday, Sept. 12, 2025

In addition to long-running staples, such as the pub crawl, royal jousts, and the hawk walk, the 2025 Michigan Renaissance Fair offers several new attractions, including the Wicked Wand Workshop, a Ninja Warrior inspired obstacle course, and a petting zoo.

Ten musicians dressed in Shakespearean attire performing in Nichols Arboretum.

Shakespeare in the Arb brings 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' to life this summer

By Allie Beecher · Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Shakespeare in the Arb is a community theater group bringing the magic of Shakespeare to the Nichols Arboretum.

EMU Theatre’s ‘The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus’ finds childhood whimsy in the rural desert

By Frank Remski · Tuesday, April 15, 2025

“The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus” is the latest show from EMU’s Theatre For the Young Tour. Directed by MFA candidate Olivia Allen, the play follows a girl named Sheila and her friends in rural New Mexico. They get roped into conflict with animals and solve it with their ingenuity. The show is lively and funny, with strong messages around environmentalism and conflict resolution.

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Review: 'Inaccurate Conceptions,' an EMU student directed play, is humorous

By Mariam Fakhreddine · Tuesday, March 25, 2025

The student actors did a great job portraying their characters in "Inaccurate Misconceptions." They kept the audience interested and engaged throughout the show.

EMU Theatre and the audience unite for the queer joy of 'The Rocky Horror Show'

By Frank Remski · Monday, Feb. 17, 2025

EMU Theatre’s performance of “The Rocky Horror Show” opened on Feb. 14. A hilarious, satirical play that pokes fun at science fiction horror and explores queerness, the audience was encouraged to play along. As such, it was an immersive experience where the audience became a part of the show.