The year ahead looks incredibly promising for the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts! Both the Maverick Theatre Company and the Maverick Dance Company have quite the lineup planned for productions throughout the year. You might recognize some of the famous works being put on this year like Company and The Music Man, but these are just scratching the surface as to what this amazing department has in store.

The first productions of the year will be the Flight 12 Comedy Improv Troupe, taking place Sept. 21 and 22. If you have not yet been to an improv show, they are among some of the most entertaining performances you can see. This troupe is made up of 12 students and is headed by Associate Professor Joe Chapa. Both shows are at 8 p.m. in the UTA Mainstage Theatre. Tickets are $10 each. There will also be more performances from this impressive group in the spring on Feb. 8 and 9. 

The Clean House, a play by Sarah Ruhl, will be the next up in October. A play that is comedic, dramatic and beautiful, it will make for the perfect night at the theater! There will be five performances at the Mainstage Theatre. Tickets are $10; university faculty and staff members, students and senior citizens can purchase tickets for $8. The play is directed by Assistant Professor of Instruction Seraphina Nova Glass and runs Oct. 10 - 13 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 14 at 2:30 p.m.

MavLab Productions are a series of three one-act plays being put on this fall by the UTA Department of Theatre Arts. What is notable about these productions is that some of them are written and/or directed by current students. Their titles are Ladies in Waiting by Michele Palermo, directed by Assistant Professor of Instruction Detra Payne, followed by The Shock of Recognition by Robert Anderson, directed by current student Coy Rubalcaba, and Some Sunny Day, written and directed by current student Straton Rushing. See this series Oct. 31 - Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m. in the UTA Studio Theatre. The ticket price is $10.

Company is a famous musical written by Stephen Sondheim, based upon the book written by George Furth. Chronicling the hilarious antics of a happy bachelor, if you are in need of a night of comedy with great music, make it a point to see this production. The show will be held at UTA’s Mainstage Theatre with five performance dates: Nov. 14 - 17 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12, and $10 for faculty or staff, students and senior citizens. The play will be directed by Dr. Katherine Noone, Assistant Professor of Instruction.

The Maverick Dance Company has upcoming performances for both winter and spring, entitled Via Dance. If you have an aspiring dancer in your family, you should definitely take them to watch these incredible talents put on breathtaking performances. Via Dance is directed by Artistic Director Amanda Jackson, Associate Artistic Director Meredith Knight Treminio, and student and guest choreographers. This winter, you can see the Maverick Dance Company Dec. 7 and 8 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 9 at 2:30 p.m. For the spring, their performances will be May 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. and May 5 at 2:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre. Tickets are $10 or $8 for faculty and staff, students and senior citizens.

If you are in the mood for a classic, heartwarming show, the Maverick Theatre Company is putting on The Music Man this coming spring. You can see this show  Feb. 27 - March 2 at 8 p.m. at the Mainstage Theatre, or on March 3 at 2:30 p.m. The production will be directed by Dr. Anne Healy, Associate Professor and Associate Department Chair. Tickets range from $10 - $12.

The last two performances of the year are performed in repertory, which means that they will be alternating every night until their last performance. The two plays, Eurydice and Princess Mia, both should not be missed. You can see Eurydice, written by Sarah Ruhl, on April 10, April 12, April 15 and April 17 at 8 p.m., and on April 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Studio Theatre. It will be directed by Felicia Bertch, Assistant Professor of Instruction. Princess Mia will be performed on April 11, April 13, April 16 and April 18 at 8 p.m., and on April 14 at 2:30 p.m. The show will be directed by Artistic Director and UTA Professor Andrew Christopher Gaupp. See this performance at the Mainstage Theatre. Tickets range from $8 - $10.

The University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts is sure to wow this season. If you plan on attending any of these shows, visit their website for more information about the program and upcoming performances. For ticketing inquiries, you can reach the box office at 817-272-9595. The addresses for both theatres are listed below:

UTA Mainstage Theatre

502 S. Cooper Street

Arlington, TX 76019

Fine Arts Building, North Section, Room 174.

UTA Studio Theatre

502 S. Cooper Street

Arlington, TX 76019

Fine Arts Building, North Section, Room 137.