The Dallas Theater Center has unveiled an ambitious and forward-looking 2026–2027 season, marking the inaugural programming of incoming Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda. The lineup signals a renewed commitment to developing new American theater, with a strong emphasis on world premieres, contemporary storytelling, and artist-driven work.
At the heart of the season are three world premiere productions spanning genres from political drama to dark musical comedy, alongside a regional premiere and an additional production yet to be announced. The season will unfold across Dallas Theater Center’s primary venues—the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre and the Kalita Humphreys Theater—reinforcing the company’s role as a major incubator for new theatrical voices.
Castañeda’s first season reflects a clear artistic mission: to position Dallas Theater Center as a laboratory for urgent, present-day storytelling. “New work is the engine of the American theater,” he noted, emphasizing his focus on playwrights who engage directly with contemporary life. His vision also includes expanding the theater’s creative community while continuing to spotlight its Brierley Resident Acting Company.
The season opens with Reykjavik86, a gripping Cold War drama by Gabe McKinley. The play dramatizes the historic 1986 summit between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, exploring diplomacy, ideological conflict, and the high-stakes decisions that shaped global history.
Next comes the regional premiere of The Monsters by Ngozi Anyanwu, a physically charged and emotionally resonant play about two estranged siblings reconnecting through the world of competitive fighting. Blending humor, intensity, and heart, the play examines family bonds and personal redemption.
In spring, the company will debut Kill Local, a dark comedy musical featuring a book by Mat Smart and music and lyrics by indie artist Liza Anne. The story follows two sisters working in their family’s assassination business, weaving themes of loyalty, burnout, and survival into a sharp, genre-bending theatrical experience.
Rounding out the world premieres is The Making of a Saint, a solo investigative performance written, directed, and performed by KJ Sanchez. The piece blends documentary storytelling with personal exploration, as Sanchez examines faith, family, and the life of a historical Catholic figure while navigating her own search for meaning.
A fifth production, to be announced, will be staged at the Kalita Humphreys Theater in early 2027, adding an element of anticipation to the season.
In addition to the subscription series, Dallas Theater Center will present its beloved annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Kevin Moriarty and based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens. While not included in subscription packages, the production remains a cornerstone of the company’s seasonal programming.
Executive Director Kevin Moriarty described the upcoming season as the beginning of a dynamic new chapter for the organization, highlighting Castañeda’s artistic vision and commitment to engaging the North Texas community through meaningful theatrical experiences.
With a lineup rooted in original work, Dallas Theater Center continues its longstanding tradition of launching productions that often go on to have life beyond their initial runs. This season reinforces the company’s national reputation as both a creative home for artists and a pipeline for new American plays and musicals.
2026–2027 Season Lineup
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Reykjavik86 (World Premiere)
September 11–27, 2026
Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre -
The Monsters (Regional Premiere)
October 9 – November 1, 2026
Wyly Studio Theatre -
A Christmas Carol (Holiday Production)
November 27 – December 27, 2026
Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre -
Fifth Production – To Be Announced
February 5–21, 2027
Kalita Humphreys Theater -
Kill Local (World Premiere Musical)
March 26 – April 11, 2027
Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre -
The Making of a Saint (World Premiere)
May 14 – June 6, 2027
Wyly Studio Theatre