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<strong>Richard Wright, author of "Native Son," appears in New York on March 21, 1945</strong>. (Robert Kradin/AP File)Premium Performing Arts

Arts Beat: New festival brings works of Hemingway, Whitman, Wright to the stage

“We’d really like Memphis to be known as a classical arts incubator — one of the capitals of classical theater, not just for Shakespeare but for the great American writers, too.”

By Alys Drake August 21, 2026
Premium Performing Arts

‘The Music Man,’ ‘Mean Girls’ open Memphis theater seasons

Quark Theatre begins its season in its new home at TheatreWorks with a musical whodunit that includes a four-hands piano duet.

By Alys Drake August 14, 2026
Premium Performing Arts

Arts Beat: ‘Matrix’ and ‘Blacklist’ actor starring in Hattiloo show

Harry Lennix said Hattiloo’s success has shown what a Black-led regional theater can mean for a city’s cultural life.

By Alys Drake August 14, 2026
The To-Do List

Dinosaurs, trains, Phoebe Bridgers and a dive-in movie at a city pool

In this week’s To-Do List, John Legend is live at the Garden, a “Matrix” actor stars in a Hattiloo play and you can get a sneak peek at Stomping Grounds. 

By Alys Drake, Bianca Phillips, Elle Perry August 13, 2026

  • Premium Performing Arts

    Improv theater helps at-risk young people learn a new script

    Time on stage helps Memphis Allies’ SWITCH participants, including many former gang members, becoming more confident, sociable, empathetic and aware of their emotions.

    By John Klyce August 07, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    Photo Gallery: ‘Suffs’ actress visits Memphis Suffrage Monument

    “Suffs,” which runs at the Orpheum Theatre July 31-Aug. 2, highlights the Black activists behind the women’s suffrage movement, including two Memphians.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff July 29, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    Orpheum adds 3 shows to 2026-27 Broadway season

    The Orpheum is expanding its run of shows this season with a Tony Award winner, a global phenomenon and the musical version of a beloved film.

    By Alys Drake July 27, 2026
  • Premium Performing Arts

    Ballet Memphis celebrates the past while looking to the future

    Ballet Memphis holds an open house to showcase all it offers to the community. Besides dance for adults and kids, there’s Pilates and classes for Parkinson’s patients.

    By Jody Callahan July 25, 2026
  • Premium The Arts Beat

    Arts Beat: ‘Suffs’ musical brings suffrage fight — and Tennessee’s pivotal role — to Orpheum

    The show also highlights the movement’s Black activists and Memphians Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell, who fought to keep questions of racial justice from being sidelined by white suffragists eager to appease Southern lawmakers.

    By Alys Drake July 29, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    For decades, Hattiloo has been a landmark of Black theater. Soon, it will become a ‘cultural village.’

    Karaoke, spoken-word poetry, comedy showcases: With three new spaces and five new programs, Hattiloo Theatre is growing in Midtown.

    By Amaya Taylor July 21, 2026
  • Premium Ask the Memphian

    Ask the Memphian: How does the Orpheum determine its Broadway season lineup?

    Orpheum Theatre CEO Brett Batterson sees almost every new Broadway production in New York. The first question he asks himself: Should he bring it to Memphis?

    By John Klyce July 20, 2026
  • Premium Performing Arts

    Don’t call wrestling fake: ‘Everything we do in there hurts’

    You can call it a choreographed, you can call it a performance, you can call it entertainment. But don’t ever call wrestling “fake” unless you want to rile up folks like The Bite-Sized Brawler or Hucklebuck Jenkins. 

    By Jody Callahan July 19, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    Arts Beat: Here’s who’s up for the best in Memphis theater

    Celebrating the best in Memphis theater for the 2025-2026 season, this year’s Ostrander Awards take place at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff July 17, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    Collierville student wins at National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York

    The ceremony — hosted by Bowen Yang, formerly of “Saturday Night Live” — followed a 10-day intensive that included coaching sessions, training and rehearsals led by Broadway professionals. Participants come from 58 programs across the U.S.

    By Alys Drake June 23, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    Opera Memphis announces 2026-27 season featuring classics, premieres, and free citywide events

    The mainstage season opens Oct. 24 with “Rigoletto” at the Cannon Center in collaboration with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

    By Alys Drake June 23, 2026
  • Premium The Arts Beat

    Arts Beat: ‘Tarzan’ and a world premiere open in Memphis-area theaters

    Disney’s “first prince” and a beloved American president are the focus of the two shows opening this weekend.

    By Alys Drake June 25, 2026
  • Education

    A new act for Humes: Arts and tech school planned for Elvis’ alma mater

    Local dance director Katie Smythe’s new performing arts school recently bought Humes Middle, Elvis Presley’s alma mater in North Memphis. 

    By Laura Testino June 15, 2026
  • Premium The Arts Beat

    Arts Beat: ‘Sweeney Todd’ unites Memphis opera and theater

    Opening this week: a darkly comic thriller about a barber whose quest for revenge turns into a spree of murder and cannibalistic meat pies. It also happens to be a beloved musical.

    By Alys Drake June 14, 2026
  • Premium Performing Arts

    Beauty, beast and buffet: Broadway cast, crew treated to home-cooked meals after Orpheum show

    Memphis may be renowned worldwide for its barbecue and Blues, but in the Broadway realm, it’s known for its hospitality.

    By Jennifer Chandler June 15, 2026
  • Music

    Overton Park Shell ‘Shell-ebrates’ 90 years with free fall shows

    The lineup includes celebrations for the Shell, Hattiloo and Opera Memphis; festivals like Gonerfest; and concerts like Drivin N Cryin. 

    By Elle Perry June 10, 2026
  • Premium Arts & Culture

    Arts Beat: How Memphis artists can get funding wishes granted

    Grant opportunities are now open to local visual artists and nonprofit or government organizations that want to address community issues through art.

    By Elle Perry June 05, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Falsettos’ musicals opening in Memphis

    Theatre Memphis and Germantown Community Theatre are producing musicals that open Friday. 

    By Alys Drake June 05, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    With ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in town, Gaston plays tour guide and Cogsworth is a duckmaster

    A Memphis native has returned home to take the Orpheum stage — and help his castmates find a good place to eat. Plus, the Peabody ducks are keeping time with the help of a new clock.

    By Brandon LaGrone II June 03, 2026
  • Premium The Arts Beat

    Arts Beat: Briarcrest alumnus in ‘Beauty & the Beast’ at the Orpheum

    The Lakeland native started out in the children’s programs at Germantown Community Theatre, Playhouse on the Square, Harrell Theatre and New Day Children’s Theatre.

    By Alys Drake June 03, 2026
  • Premium Performing Arts

    Only 16, this Memphis kid has performed nationwide and stars in ‘Michael’

    Jaylen Hunter has toured the U.S. in major stage productions of “The Lion King” and “MJ The Musical,” and in recent weeks, millions around the world have seen him play young Marlon Jackson in the blockbuster movie “Michael.”

    By John Klyce May 26, 2026
  • Premium Arts & Culture

    Well versed: A Memphis wordsmith makes history with ‘little poems’

    “It’s just been amazing what we’ve done with just our sheer talent, just wanting to write and be heard,” Bria Saulsberry said.

    By Brandon LaGrone II May 25, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    Collierville students lead Orpheum musical theater honors

    The Collierville wins came on a night that brought together students from 56 schools across Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri.

    By Alys Drake May 23, 2026
  • Performing Arts

    ‘Primary Trust’ and ‘Collective Rage’ are in Memphis theaters

    Playhouse on the Square’s production of the Pulitzer prize-winning play “Primary Trust” opens at the Circuit Playhouse Friday, May 8.

    By Alys Drake May 08, 2026
  • Premium Spirit of Memphis

    Ask the Memphian: Why doesn’t Memphis land as many big movie productions as it used to?

    A few decades ago, stars like Tom Cruise, Matt Damon and Reese Witherspoon were shooting movies in Memphis. Longtime local film commissioner Linn Sitler discusses what’s changed and why there’s hope for the future. 

    By John Klyce May 04, 2026

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