From familiar classics like “Frankenstein” to Shakespearean comedies, the University of Miami Department of Theatre Arts has new productions and performances you won’t want to miss this spring.
The University of Miami Theatre Arts program at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre announced their lineup for the spring 2026 season that offers brand new productions and classics.
This semester, the program will be performing five new productions titled “New Box, New Musicals” at the new Black Box Theatre on campus that had its grand opening last year through the Department of Theatre Arts.
“New Box, New Musicals” will have showings from March 25-28 this year. The two other shows, Shakespereare’s “Twelfth Night” and “Young Frankenstein” will be performed in the Jerry Herman Theatre on campus in February and April respectively.
The shows performed for “New Box, New Musicals” were written and developed by students at the Tisch School of the Arts through the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University. The productions will be under the direction of NDavid Williams, the head of the BFA Comprehensive Musical Theatre program at UM.
Williams is a well-known classical pianist and accompanist who has worked throughout the United States and Europe. He has performed with numerous ballet companies and appeared in several different theatrical productions such as “Falsettos,” “Guys and Dolls” and more.
“It is an incredibly unique and valuable experience for the student performers, and will make them stand out in the professional world,” said a ticketing office representative for the Jerry Herman Theater. “It teaches a new set of skills and prepares them for so many more types of theater and types of jobs that they are likely to encounter after graduation.”
Alongside these new musicals, the program will also be performing Shakespereare’s “Twelfth Night,” a romantic comedy about mistaken identity, love triangles and the tale of twins
who are separated after a shipwreck.
This production will be showing from Feb. 27 to March 5 located in the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre.
The department will also be performing Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein,” a musical based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name. The film was co-written by Brooks and Gene Wilder and based on Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein.”
In the film, Wilder portrays the main protagonist Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein.
The story follows Frederick Frankenstein who decides to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps by creating a monster of his own. The show is a story of desire, confusion and scolding hot soup.
With memorable tunes and a monstrously funny flair, this revamped hilarious classic is sure to keep you engaged and animated. See the show at the Ring Theater from April 17-25.
A representative from the ticketing office for the Jerry Herman Theatre expressed the hard work and dedication that goes into each season, and this one won’t be any different.
“We’d love for other students at the University to see what exciting things the theatre department is doing, and recognize how much hard work and passion goes into these projects,” the representative said.
Together, this season’s productions reflect a commitment to exploration and dedication, offering something for everyone.