the serpent under't
An Adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth
Conceived and Directed by Nigel Semaj
UMBC Proscenium Theatre
October 29 - November 8, 2026
Tickets Available Soon!
About the Show:
the serpent under't is an experimental dance theatre adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. It explores the shadows of the human psyche where ambition, guilt, and fate intertwine with the supernatural. Blending movement, dance, and spoken text, this reimagining draws inspiration from horror and the macabre of Edgar Allen Poe.
Performances at UMBC:
- Thursday, October 29, 7:30 PM – Opening Night Reception
- Friday, October 30, 7:30 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students
- Saturday, October 31, 7:30 PM
- Friday, November 6, 7:30 PM
- Saturday, November 7, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, November 8, 2:00 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students; Prospective Student Day; Actor Talkback
WITCH
By Jen Silverman
Directed by Katie Hileman
UMBC Black Box Theatre
December 4 - 6, 2026
Tickets Available Soon!
About the Show:
A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her – and then returns again – unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.
WITCH is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Performances at UMBC:
- Friday, December 4, 7:30 PM – Opening Night Reception
- Saturday, December 5, 2:00 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students
- Saturday, December 5, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, December 6, 2:00 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students
Merlin
By Susan McCully
Directed by Eve Muson
UMBC Proscenium Theatre
April 1 - 11, 2027
Tickets Available Soon!
About the Show:
During a catastrophic storm surge in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, a mutual-aid collective coordinates emergency shelter operations while a woman searches desperately for her missing dog, Merlin. Inside a media studio used as an emergency coordination center, activists navigate tensions surrounding privilege, leadership, and collective responsibility while organizing shelter for hundreds of displaced residents. Meanwhile, Merlin undergoes a surreal evolutionary transformation—from dog to otter to fish to microalgae—symbolizing ecological interdependence and adaptation. As the storm intensifies, the characters confront the limits of individual heroism and the necessity of collective action. The play ultimately imagines survival through networks of cooperation and mutual aid rather than domination or escape.
Performances at UMBC:
- Thursday, April 1, 7:30 PM – Opening Night Reception
- Friday, April 2, 7:30 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students
- Saturday, April 3, 7:30 PM
- Friday, April 9, 7:30 PM
- Saturday, April 10, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, April 11, 2:00 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students; Prospective Student Day; Actor Talkback
Ludicrous!
A Very Silly Variety Show
Directed by Colette Searls and Gerrad Alex Taylor
UMBC Black Box Theatre
May 7 - 9, 2027
Tickets Available Soon!
About the Show:
This production is a contemporary comedy variety show inspired by vaudeville traditions. The performance will include clowning, physical comedy sketches, staged fight bits, stand-up style monologues, etc. Material will be developed through rehearsal exercises in clown, physical comedy, and comic choreography. Some segments may draw inspiration from current events, transforming topical material into satirical comic sketches. The final performance will be a curated sequence of short comedic pieces devised collaboratively by the ensemble.
Performances at UMBC:
- Friday, May 7, 7:30 PM – Opening Night Reception
- Saturday, May 8, 2:00 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students
- Saturday, May 8, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, May 9, 2:00 PM – Free Performance for UMBC Students
Note:
ASL Interpreted performances are TBA. If you have requests around accessibility for any of our performances, please email the UMBC Box Office (PahbBoxOffice@umbc.edu).
UMBC Theatre's 2026 - 2027 Season is funded by the UMBC Arts+ Initiative.
UMBC Theatre events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.
All Poster Artwork by Eric Abele.