Name: Beijing Guitar Duo
Start: 2025-03-14T19:30:00
Location: Admissions Office

This winter, Northern Michigan University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance invites you to a series of enchanting events that promise to warm your heart and inspire your imagination. From the whimsical 'Home for the Holidays' and the magical 'Holiday Soirée' to the classic 'Much Ado About Nothing' and the powerful 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' audiences will be treated to a rich tapestry of performances. Additionally, witness the brilliance of the Beijing Guitar Duo and delve into the surreal with 'Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience.' This season, NMU transforms the stage into a festive wonderland, celebrating art, music, and community spirit.

A Holiday Spectacle: NMU's Theatrical and Musical Extravaganza

Northern Michigan University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is set to captivate audiences with an eclectic array of performances in 2025. From a whimsical immersive experience inspired by 'Alice in Wonderland,' to a comedic twist on Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing,' and the evocative strains of the Beijing Guitar Duo, NMU promises a season of artistic diversity. The program culminates in the dramatic rock opera 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' inviting audiences on a musical journey through its narrative depths.

A Tapestry of Performance: NMU's Diverse Artistic Showcase

Northern Michigan University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance is poised to captivate audiences with a diverse lineup of events in 2025. From an immersive Alice in Wonderland experience to Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, a masterclass by the Beijing Guitar Duo, and the timeless musical Jesus Christ Superstar, there's something for everyone. These events promise to showcase the talents of students and professionals while providing engaging, thought-provoking experiences that celebrate the power of music, theatre, and storytelling.

Dive into Theatre and Art: NMU's Exciting Lineup for 2025

Meng Su

Yameng Wang

Beijing Guitar Duo

Northern Michigan University School of Music, Theatre and Dance

Journey "under the sea" with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney's The Little Mermaid, adapted from Disney's Broadway production and the motion picture. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories, Disney's The Little Mermaid is an enchanting look at the sacrifices we all make for love and acceptance. Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs. But the bargain is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her colorful friends, Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to restore order under the sea.

Disney's The Little Mermaid

Northern Michigan University

The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times) are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone. From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along. Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” takes its name from the prevailing winds that travel from the West to the East. “Skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies explore jazz, roots, and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids: music that is both "folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” (NPR Music). 

We are very excited to host The Westerlies on the NMU campus as part of a collaboration with the NMU Jazz Festival.  Their Thursday evening Siril Concert will also serve as the opening concert of the 2026 NMU Jazz Festival.  The members of the ensemble will serve as clinicians for visiting high school and middle school bands attending the Festival, and they will also be featured individually as guest soloists with NMU Jazz Ensembles during the Friday evening Jazz Festival Concert!

The Westerlies!

The 2026 NMU Jazz Festival will be held on the beautiful campus of Northern Michigan University on Thursday and Friday, March 19-20. High school and middle school jazz bands and combos in the region are invited to participate.

This year's festival will feature The Westerlies, a New York-based brass quartet comprised of Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone.  This cutting-edge ensemble is “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times). From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.

2026 NMU Jazz Festival

Based on the hit 1980 film and featuring an original score by country music legend Dolly Parton, 9 to 5: The Musical is a high-energy, laugh-out-loud tale of friendship, revenge, and female empowerment in the workplace.

When three vastly different office workers—Violet, Judy, and Doralee—are pushed to the brink by their sexist, egotistical boss, they don’t just get mad… they get even. Through a wild mix-up of fantasy, farce, and bold determination, the trio hatches a plan to take control of the office and transform their toxic work environment into a place of respect and possibility.

With catchy songs, big laughs, and heart to spare, 9 to 5 is a celebration of women rising up, standing tall, and rewriting the rules—all set to a toe-tapping score that’ll have you humming all the way home. This musical comedy is the ultimate feel-good tribute to the power of friendship, fairness, and finding your voice.

9 to 5

One night only! Join us in celebrating the work of our graduating seniors during this culminating showcase-style performance!

Theatre & Dance Senior Showcase

Becky, Billie, and Mariel are three lifelong friends in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When the three young women accept a dare and embark on a canoe trek in frigid waters, they find themselves stranded in the middle of Lake Superior. Dangerous conditions prevail forcing them to face the choices they've made and the trappings of life in their hometown. A story about female friendship, motherhood, and the secrets we keep.

Tragedy Sound

McClintock

Join NMU Theatre and Dance for a DRAG CABARET to get us ready for Pride Month! Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Marquette and beyond as performers make the Panowski Black Box Theatre stage their own.

Drag Cabaret

Join us for the 5th Annual North Coast Dance Festival, a spectacular celebration of dance! Professional dancers from across the country will gather alongside the NMU CO/LAB Dance Company for engaging educational experiences and mesmerizing performances. Don't miss this unforgettable event filled with grace, talent, and artistry.

Beijing Guitar Duo

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