The Addison Performing Arts Centre, home to WaterTower Theatre. (Photo via Visit Addison FB)

Stage Notes is a weekly aggregate post about theater, classical music, dance, comedy and stage news, events, reviews and other pertinent information. 

Opening this week:

The Firehouse Theatre: Grease, today-Aug. 23

Stomping Ground Comedy: Red Bastard, 9 p.m. Friday.

NTPA Rep: Disney’s Frozen, Friday-Aug. 16 at the Willow Bend Center of the Arts.

Jubilee Theatre: Klook and Vinette, Friday- Aug. 21.

Lakeside Community Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors, Friday-Aug. 29.

The Core Theatre: Tennessee Wet Rub, Friday-Aug. 30

Hip Pocket Theatre: Raggedy Farm, Friday-Aug. 30, pictured.

Richardson Theatre Centre: See How They Run, Friday-Aug. 30.

Uptown Revue: The Sun-Kissed Spectacular, 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Pocket Sandwich Theatre.

Shakespeare Everywhere: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 8 p.m. Monday at Wild Detectives.

Onstage now:

MainStage ILC: Inherit the Wind, through Saturday, pictured.

Broadway at the Bass: Suffs, through Sunday.

Meow Wolf: Phenomenonaly, through Saturday.

Runway Theatre: Ken Ludwig’s A Comedy of Tenors, through Sunday

Theatre Frisco: Big Fish, through Sunday

Rover Dramawerks: 10-Minute Comedies, through Aug. 15.

Amphibian Stage: The Shark is Broken, through Aug. 16.

Onstage in Bedford: Crimes of the Heart, opened Thursday-Aug. 16

Pocket Sandwich Theatre: King Arthur & Merlin: A Tale of Sword & Sorcery, through Aug. 22.

Drunk Shakespeare Society: Romeo and Juliet, through Sept. 20 at Deep Ellum Art Co.

Dallas Theater Center delivers an update for easier mobile ticketing

In MORE DTC news (read our interview with Kevin Moriarty in Friday’s issue), the theater revealed today that it is now partnering with True Tickets to offer a new, faster and more convenient way to access mobile tickets. This goes into effect as DTC heads into its 2026/27 season beginning next month.

The basics:

  • All tickets will only be available through True Tickets.
  • Any tickets already purchased for the next season will already be there.
  • Head to mobile.DallasTheaterCenter.org to login with an existing Dallas Theater Center account. For quickest access on show day, bookmark the page and select to stay logged in.

If you have the DTC app, it’s time to ditch it. The app will be retired in October and any tickets there will no longer live on that app.

Via True Tickets, purchases will be ready immediately and a secure QR code will automatically appear three days before the performance.

Got questions? The Box Office team can answer them by calling 214-522-8499 or emailing ticketing@dallastheatercenter.org.

Texas Ballet Theater’s new in-studio series gives a deeper look into its productions

If you ever wondered about the purpose of a pas de deux is or what it is even, then you’re in luck. On Monday, TBT introduced Dance Dialogues to offer fans and audiences more of an understanding of what goes into a ballet from the costumes to the music and to the elements of each performance.

Ahead of each mainstage production, Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe and a special guest connected to the work will lead an intimate conversation accompanied by live excerpts from the ballet, performed by TBT dancers. Each sessions will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the artistry behind every production.

The new Dance Dialogues includes the following events:

Sept. 10: A Conversation with Kenneth Tindall. Tindall sits down with Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe to discuss how he brought the story of Casanova to life, followed by a live showing of excerpts from the ballet. 6 p.m. at Dance Lab.

Sept. 24: Behind the Seams of Tutu Chic. O’Keefe explores the creative process behind TBT’s annual fashion show where ballet and design merge with live performances by TBT dancers. 6 p.m. at Preston Center Studio.

Feb. 4: A Conversation with Silas Farley. Go behind the scenes with choreographer Silas Farley and O’Keefe for a conversation about Farley’s world premiere as part of TBT’s mixed repertory program, Unbound, followed by a live sneak peek of his new work. 6 p.m. at Preston Center Studio.

Feb. 11: A Conversation with Brett Ishida and Silas Farley. Join the choreographers with O’Keefe for an inside look at their world premieres for Unbound, featuring an exclusive live previews of both new works. 6 p.m. at Dance Lab.

April 22: Stevenson Retrospective. Celebrate the legacy of Ben Stevenson, OBE, with O’Keefe and a special guest, followed by a live showcase of pas de deux excerpts from Coppélia. 6 p.m. at Preston Center Studio.

May 6: Stevenson Retrospective. 6 p.m. at Dance Lab.

For more information and tickets, click here.

WaterTower Theatre announces new Producing Artistic Director

In an emailed letter today, WaterTower Theater’s Board of Directors revealed the company’s new leadership. The letter revealed who its new Producing Artistic Director will be as the company heads into fall.

From WaterTower:

Dear Friends and Patrons of WaterTower Theatre,

We’re writing to share great news about WaterTower Theatre’s leadership. The Board of Directors is proud to announce that JC Schuster has been promoted and named the permanent Producing Artistic Director, effective October 1, 2026. JC will continue serving as Interim Producing Artistic Director through the remainder of the organization’s current fiscal year, working alongside the Board and staff to guide the organization through its leadership fiscal transition, strengthen its operational foundation, and prepare for the 2026–27 season.

This is a well-earned next step in a leadership journey he has been building at WaterTower. Since stepping into the role of Interim Producing Artistic Director, JC has led with clarity, decisiveness, and heart. He moved quickly to assess the organization’s needs, make prudent decisions, and outline a solid plan for the future. He has also worked closely with the Board’s Executive Committee to ensure sound, transparent oversight during this transition period.

WaterTower Theatre’s JC Schuster. (Courtesy photo)

JC brings a rare combination of expertise to this role: a lifelong artist’s eye and a producer’s discipline. A Dallas native with over 20 years of Broadway and entertainment industry experience, he came to WaterTower as Associate Producing Artistic Director, where he spent a year and a half deeply immersed in the company’s artistic and production work before assuming interim leadership.

Like many arts organizations regionally and nationally, WaterTower is navigating a period of rising costs and a shifting funding landscape. JC’s track record and steady, proactive leadership has given the Board full confidence in the path ahead. He is committed to shaping WaterTower’s next chapter through exciting programming, meaningful opportunities for North Texas artists, and professional theatre that welcomes and connects our community in continued partnership with the Town of Addison.

Thank you, as always, for your belief in WaterTower Theatre and its mission. Our patrons, sponsors, staff, artists, and the Town of Addison make everything we do possible. We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!

TACA unveils its three honorees for this year’s Masquerade event

As TACA looks toward its annual fundraiser this October, the organization announced its honorees for this year.

They are:

  • Distinguished Arts Leader: Joanna St. Angelo, Sammons Center for the Arts;
  • Innovative Arts Leader: Amy O’Neil, The Dallas Opera;
  • Legacy Builder: Hamilton A. Sneek, philanthropic recognition.

Masquerade 2026: An Evening of Secrets + Stories + Support for the Arts will happen Oct. 24 at The Statler. For tickets and sponsorships, click here.

Bruce Wood Dance Dallas wishes its late founder a happy birthday

On Monday, BWDD commemorated the birthday of its namesake founder with these words:

A Texan through and through, Bruce loved his home state and he loved his company. As we prepare to kick off our 17th season, we know he would be incredibly proud—and perhaps a little amazed—at how far we’ve come.

We have big things in store this year, and we can’t wait to share them with you. But today is about celebrating the man who started it all. Each season, Bruce’s extraordinary body of work brings joy and healing to so many near and far.

As new generations of dancers learn his movement, new audiences fall in love with his dances, and more and more people discover this company, Bruce’s impact on the world only continues to grow. To witness his reach expand year after year is a sight to behold. And to carry his work into the future is truly an honor.

We love you, Bruce. Thank you for the wisdom you shared, the love you gave, and the incredible legacy you’ve entrusted to us.

Happy birthday!

The next day, BWDD dropped this big news.

–Rich Lopez

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