DreamWrights Brings Teen Production of Hadestown to the York College Stage
As part of the institution's newfound partnership with the community theatre, York College will help DreamWrights bring a Tony Award-winning musical to life on the Waldner Performing Arts Center stage.
York College of Pennsylvania has hosted many theatrical performances over the years, bringing its community together to share in the acting and musical talent of its student body. Countless shows have allowed actors and members of the Theatre Department to shine on and off stage at the Waldner Performing Arts Center (WPAC), creating lasting memories and experiences they can take with them beyond campus.
This summer, the WPAC will be hosting a special production. As part of a partnership with York College, the DreamWrights Center for Community Arts will be performing a teen production of Hadestown on June 5-14, 2026, in collaboration with the Weary Arts Group.
“By partnering with Weary Arts Group to stage this production at York College, we are combining the talents and resources of each organization to create something greater than any of us could accomplish alone,” said Eric Miller, Executive Director of DreamWrights. “This collaboration allows us to move beyond the limitations of our individual spaces, staff, and resources. Presenting a show originally planned for DreamWrights on a larger college stage gives us the opportunity to welcome a much bigger audience while also helping us explore what this partnership can become moving forward.”
A Tony Award-winning musical with music, lyrics, and book by Anaïs Mitchell, Hadestown reimagines the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, and how their love was tested by the gods. The musical tells the story of the two lovers through bold folk and blues music, bringing to life themes of hope and love, and how they can be found even in the darkest of times.
For this production, DreamWrights brought together more than 80 cast and crew members for one of the biggest shows they’ve put on to date. The show is also co-produced with the Weary Arts Group (WAG), a York-based arts education organization that brings arts training and education to students of all ages.
“As a member of WAG, the theatre spaces and shop at WPAC are like a second home, so it is exciting that we have the opportunity to perform one of my favorite shows in one of my favorite spaces,” said Charissa Moye, one of the co-directors for the musical who has worked with the Weary Arts Group as a director and music director at York College and local York City Schools. “The thing that makes this show special, to me, is being able to work with and watch students from all over Central PA meet over their shared love of this story. Watching them all come together and help build this world together has really been inspiring.”
“The most wonderful thing I hope our audience can take away from this production is the fact that it is a teen edition,” said Tonisha Strange, stage manager for Hadestown and production stage manager for the Weary Arts Group. “These young performers have poured everything into this production over just six weeks of rehearsals to bring this glorious show to the stage. Even with such difficult subject matter, they will move you to tears every time you watch it.”
The invitation to host Hadestown on the College’s Main Campus comes as part of the partnership that York College established with DreamWrights and York Country Day School this past year. The goal of the agreement is to expand arts education and foster community engagement through the arts. Along with sharing their facilities and outreach, the partners will develop educational programming in the visual and performing arts and provide theatrical opportunities for members of the York community.
The teen edition of Hadestown is one of the first of many reflections of this partnership, allowing for York College and DreamWrights to bring young voices and talent to the WPAC stage and connect with a greater audience.
“The core goal of our partnership with our community partners is to combine resources to celebrate the arts, elevate arts education, and increase performance opportunities throughout York County, thereby enriching the cultural fabric of our entire community,” said Dr. Joshua Landau, Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences. “Through these relationships, we hope to foster a collaborative environment where local youth and our students can connect, learn, and grow through hands-on creative experiences. Hosting this incredible production on our campus perfectly reflects our shared vision, as we open our doors and facilities to support local talent and ensure that vibrant, high-quality theater remains accessible to everyone in our community.”
The cast and crew of this amazing production cannot wait to share all of the hard work and passion they have put into their rehearsals, so don’t miss the opportunity to support the Hadestown team and celebrate the collaboration York College fostered with many wonderful organizations.
The Lilly White Cast will be performing on June 6, 12, and 14, and the Poppy Red Cast on June 5, 7, and 13. The shows will be at 7:00 pm on June 5, 6, 12, and 13, and at 3:00 pm on June 7 and 14.
To purchase tickets, visit the DreamWrights Center for Community Arts website.
