Friends of Musical Theatre: Member Portal
Welcome, Friends
As I look forward to my second year as Chair of the Department of Musical Theatre, I am excited for what lies ahead for our community—our extraordinary students, wonderful faculty, and unwaveringly supportive Friends of Musical Theatre. The past year was one of growth, joy, and renewed purpose. You made it possible for us to bring in a stellar roster of guest artists and alumni whose insights and mentorship are shaping our students’ futures. You also supported our students in meaningful, tangible ways such as providing meals on long, extra-busy days, covering the cost of dance shoes for those who couldn’t afford them, and contributing to important wellness initiatives.
I am so grateful for the heartfelt role our Friends play in uplifting our department. Your support fuels the success of our students not just as artists, but as whole human beings. Thank you for believing in them, and in the power of the arts to change lives. We couldn’t do it without you.
With sincere gratitude,
Cynthia Kortman Westphal
Chair and Professor of Musical Theatre
Fall 2025 Newsletter Now available!
Download a PDF of the newsletter here.
FoMT Volunteer Chairs
Jerry & Emily Miller
Jerry and Emily Miller are longtime supporters of SMTD’s Musical Theatre department who have generously offered their time and talents to help the Friends of Musical Theatre program grow and thrive. They both received their professional degrees from U-M, and believe that the performing arts play an indispensable role in society.
Contact Information:
Jerry Miller, [email protected]
Emily Miller, [email protected]
734-663-6217
2025/26 FoMT Events Calendar
Welcome Back
RSVP to Attend
September 7, 2025 – 2:00 pm
Arthur Miller Theatre, Walgreen Drama Center
Followed by cookies and punch in the Macek Lobby
Talkback with MT Alum Ben Ahlers
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL; a waiting list will be available soon.
October 3, 2025 – 3:00-4:30 pm
Join SMTD alum and HBO’s Gilded Age series regular Ben Ahlers as he hosts a special Friday Talkback at the Walgreen Drama Center.
Registration is capped at 20
Cabaret
Buy Tickets
October 2-12, 2025
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Sitzprobe September 22 – Time and Location TBA
Scholarship Showcase
(for scholarship donors, by invitation)
September 28, 2025
Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center
She Loves Me
Buy Tickets
October 2-11, 2025
The Encore, Dexter, MI
Master Class with Andréa Burns
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL / Join the Waitlist
October 27, 2025 – 4:30-6:30 pm
Towsley Studio, Walgreen Drama Center
Registration is capped at 15
Chat with the Chair
RSVP to Attend
November 14, 2025 – 1 pm
Classroom 201, Stearns Building
Miss America
Join the Waitlist
November 22, 2025
Two performances:
1:30 pm with a panel discussion to follow
4:00 pm with a panel discussion to follow
Towsley Studio, Walgreen Drama Center
The goal of the Writers Residency program is to allow creative teams time to create your piece, revise your piece, and develop your piece with students in the University of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre.
Content warning: This at times light musical-in-development contains serious content around reproduction, abortion and the country’s carceral system that may be polarizing. There are also frank discussions about the stages of and complications that may arise during pregnancy that could be unsettling to some audience members.
Sing, Sing, Sing
RSVP to Attend
January 11, 2026, 2:00 pm
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Bob Fosse’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” is a 15 minute ensemble dance piece; a tour de force of precision, style, and sheer theatricality—an electrifying blend of jazz, humor, and razor-sharp movement that has become one of his most iconic works. It will be performed alongside original student choreography fromour Dance Workshop, showcasing both legendary artistry and fresh creative voices.
Lost in Ann Arbor
RSVP to Attend
January 25, 2026, 2:00 pm
Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center
Join us for our annual Lost in Ann Arbor concert, featuring songs selected by the students showcasing their vocal talents.
New Works Festival
Please join us for the annual New Works Festival! Click the links below for more information about the productions. Use promo code FRIENDS26 to reserve your tickets. Friends may reserve up to two tickets to each performance on a first come, first serve basis. Please note: ticket access codes/links should not be shared with anyone other than the Friends of Musical Theatre.
- Little Red on Thursday, February 19 at 7pm
- Marian on Friday, February 20 at 7pm
- SOLD OUT: Marian on Saturday, February 21 at 2pm
- Little Red on Saturday, February 21 at 7pm
Brent Wagner Speaker Series
RSVP to Attend
March 29, 2026 7:00 pm
Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center
After more than forty years of visionary leadership and devoted service to this department, Professor Brent Wagner will be relocating to Seattle to be closer to his family. This evening marks his final in-person lecture for our students and our cherished community of Friends. We invite you to join us in celebrating an extraordinary legacy through what he fondly calls, “My Favorite Sondheim.” A reception is scheduled to follow.
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812
Buy Tickets
April 16-19, 2026
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Tapestries
RSVP to Attend
April 18, 2026, 2:00 pm
Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center
Join us for the Working in Theatre Lab Series (WiTLS) “Music Theatre Voice” concert, a presentation by the Musical Theatre first-year students entitled “Tapestries: a colorful vocal exploration of where we come from and how we fit together.”
Musical Theatre Senior Showcase
Buy Tickets
May 3, 2026
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
2025-26 Musical Theatre Performances
Cabaret
Department of Musical Theatre
Thursday | Oct. 2 & 9 at 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday | Oct. 3 & 4, 10 & 11 at 8:00 pm
Sunday | Oct. 5 & 12 at 2:00 pm
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Reserved Seating $40 / $34 / $16 Student Tickets (fees included)
She Loves Me
The Encore presents the Department of Musical Theatre’s production
Thursday & Friday | Oct. 2 & 3 and Oct. 9 & 10 at 7:00 pm
Saturday | Oct. 4 & 11 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Sunday | Oct. 5 at 2:00 pm
Tickets & Details
The Encore
7714 Ann Arbor Street, Dexter, Michigan 48130
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Department of Musical Theatre
Thursday | Apr. 16 at 7:30 pm
Friday & Saturday | Apr. 17 & 18 at 8:00 pm
Sunday | Apr. 19 at 2:00 pm
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Reserved Seating $40 / $34 / $16 Student Tickets (fees included)
Membership Benefits
All donors to the Department of Musical Theatre are recognized as Friends of Musical Theatre.
Friends of Musical Theatre enjoy many benefits, including:
- Priority ticket purchasing for SMTD productions
- Invitations to performance events like the “Welcome Back” reception and “Lost in Ann Arbor”
- Recognition in main stage production programs
- Invitations to industry guest events, like the Brent Wagner Speaker Series and select master classes
- Email newsletters with the latest updates from the Department of Musical Theatre
To confirm that your membership is current, please contact [email protected].
Priority Ticket Information
As a member of the Friends of Musical Theatre, you receive priority access to performance tickets before they are available to the general public.
You will receive a special code via email that enables this access. Learn how to redeem a promo code.
Philanthropic Impact
Donations to the Friends of Musical Theatre Fund directly enrich the educational experiences and enhancement opportunities available to musical theatre students by bringing in guest directors, choreographers, agents, casting directors, and other artists to work with students.
Support from the Friends also funds the annual Senior Showcase performances in New York City, a crucial component for introducing the senior class to industry professionals and launching their careers.
Donations to the Friends of Musical Theatre Endowed Scholarship provide funding for student scholarships and assist the Department in attracting top talent to its program.
Alumni Notes
Connect With Us
SMTD Office of Advancement
Phone: 734-647-2035
2005 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2075
The University of Michigan has 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt status. Our federal tax ID number is 38-6006309.
- Ericka Bigelow, Chief Advancement Officer
- Megan Anderson Cook, Major Gifts Officer Intermediate
- Kimberly Baumgartner, Director of Development, Marching & Athletic Bands
- Alison Bur, Development Generalist
- Gretchen Pleuss, Manager of Annual Giving Programs
- Jessica Woodman, Assistant Director of Development, Stewardship