Curtain Up at William & Mary: Spring Brings a Fresh Wave of Theater, Dance, and Music to Williamsburg’s Creative Core
April 12, 2025 | By John Womeldorf
One of the greatest perks of living in a college town? You don’t have to go far to catch a Broadway-worthy performance, a bold new play, or a cutting-edge dance concert — and in Williamsburg, the William & Mary arts scene is delivering on all fronts.
With the grand opening of the university’s spectacular new Performing Arts Center, the W&M Department of Theatre, Dance & Performance has stepped into the spotlight in a big way. From intimate studio productions to interdisciplinary musicals and provocative original works, this spring’s lineup is proof that the arts are alive and thriving on campus — and everyone in the community is invited.
Whether you’re a fan of music, theatre, or dance, there’s something for everyone on the spring calendar:
“The Skriker” | April 10–13
Studio Theatre, PBK Memorial Hall
Directed by graduating senior Anya Ruzicka ’25, this eerie and atmospheric work by Caryl Churchill blends supernatural folklore with modern anxieties, told through striking visuals and physical performance.
Free tickets available now at theskriker.ludus.com
More info: skrikerwm.site
Dance Minors Concert | April 18–19
Dance Recital Lab (Room 159), PBK Memorial Hall
Don’t miss this annual showcase of original works choreographed and performed by W&M’s talented dance minors. Always fresh, always inventive.
Admission is free — first come, first served!
“A New and Well-Ordered City” | April 24–27
Glenn Close Theatre, PBK Memorial Hall
Created collaboratively by students, this devised performance uses dance, theatre, storytelling, and live music to imagine and critique urban development — with inspiration drawn from Williamsburg’s own colonial city planning.
This show is a true mash-up of disciplines and creativity.
Tickets available now: showtix4u.com/event-details/80291
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” | April 29
Studio Theatre, PBK Memorial Hall
Presented by THEA 360: Musical Theatre Performance, this hilariously honest musical explores love, relationships, and the rollercoaster of human connection.
Free admission — reserve early to guarantee your seat!
“The Taming of the Shrew” | April 18–20
Presented by Shakespeare in the Dark, this raw and emotionally intense take on Shakespeare’s classic play is not your high school English class version.
Tickets: $5 for students, $8 for the general public
Content warning: this production explores serious themes including domestic violence and psychological trauma.
Beyond the Stage: W&M Arts Community News
The spring season isn’t just about performances. William & Mary is also making waves behind the scenes:
Nationally recognized workshops like “Bridging the Gap”, led by Jerrilyn Duckworth, are helping theatre programs across the country better serve BIPOC performers through inclusive hair and makeup training. Faculty like Sarah Hart are publishing innovative research and developing international theatre projects, including performances tied to cultural preservation in Nepal. Students are winning major honors — like Sarah Mahooti ’25, who earned first place in makeup design at SETC, and Bobbie Celine Doherty ’26, who’s now appearing in the Off-Broadway revival of Smile.
Why This Matters — and Why I Love Sharing It
I’ve called Williamsburg home for over 20 years, and while I’ve sold a lot of homes and explored every neighborhood, I’m just as proud of the cultural life that surrounds us here. Living in a college town like ours means you’re never far from bold ideas, standing ovations, and moments of magic that happen only in the arts.
Whether it’s a dance concert that moves you, a musical that makes you laugh until you cry, or a play that stays with you long after the curtain falls — William & Mary offers something special not just for students, but for all of us.
As a local real estate agent and longtime arts supporter, I believe it’s these kinds of experiences that make a place feel like home. That’s why I share stories like this on mrwilliamsburg.com — to shine a light on the people and performances that keep our community inspired.
If you’re thinking of making Williamsburg your home — or just want to learn more about the town behind the college — I’d love to help.
John Womeldorf (Mr. Williamsburg)
Real Estate Agent – Liz Moore & Associates
Let me help you find your place in this wonderfully creative town.