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ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ Black Box Theatre
Places: Putting Theatre Center Stage
In recent years, University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ began to envision a bright future for its award-winning performing arts program. Plans were developed for a black box theatre located on the lower level of the newly renovated Student Union, which would allow students to explore their creativity and showcase their talents in a state-of-the-art performance and rehearsal space. This hub for cultural and artistic events will serve all of our students and transform our broader community.
Act 1: Staging the Future
February 2023: Conceptual approval was received for a black box theatre on the University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ McNichols Campus.
October 2023: The College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, the Department of Performing Arts and University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ Facilities Management and Campus Services is working with HED (formerly Harley Ellis Devereaux), an architecture and engineering firm based in Royal Oak, Michigan, to develop plans for the new black box theatre.
February 2024: University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ announced an anonymous $2 million gift to the black box theatre.
July 2024: Construction begins.
November 2024: Framing and electrical construction continues.
December 2024: Walls go up in the Black Box Theatre and backstage areas.
March 2025: Theatre flooring is installed.
July 2025: Backstage furniture, audience chairs and risers are delivered.
Act 2: Lights Up
September 15: Join us as we raise the curtain on a new era with the ribbon cutting of the Black Box Theatre.
November 2025: Be part of the celebration as ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ Theatre Company inaugurates the Black Box Theatre with Shakespeare’s timeless comedy Twelfth Night, adapted by Marc Palmieri.
Encore: A Space for Possibility
The ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ Black Box Theatre will be the permanent home of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ Theatre Company (DMTC), an award-winning collective of artists composed of University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ students, faculty, staff and professional guest artists producing gritty and relevant theatre that entertains and awakens the imagination. Learn more about ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ Theatre Company here.
Construction Photos
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July 2025
The ticket office from the lobby.
Inside the theatre. -
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March 2025
The ticket office from the lobby.
New millwork in ticket office.
New roller shades along ramp wall.
New reception desk area.
The piping grid system for theater lighting.
A changing room in the backstage area.
Laundry room millwork. -
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December 2024
The new lobby and ticket office area. 
The ramp that leads down to the stage and seating area.
The overlook of the stage and seating area.
The backstage area where the dressing rooms are located. -
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November 2024
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August 2024
In the news
In this article by student Kateri Sollars, learn how construction of University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ’s long-awaited on-campus black box theatre has energized theatre students and faculty.
In this article by student Jennifer Raptoplous, read more about the impact and opportunities made possible by an anonymous gift to the black box theatre project.
Through this article by student John Ogurek, get a peek behind the curtain as plans unfold to put theatre center stage at ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ.
Support the Arts at ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ
To learn more about how you can be involved with the future of arts at University of ٍٍٍ½خرتسئµ, contact
Lindsay Robillard
Director of Development
College of Humanities, Arts & Social Science and School of Architecture & Community Development
University Advancement
robilllm@udmercy.edu
313-993-1429