Wayne State University theatre is Detroit's oldest noncommercial theatre. It is one of the nation's leading and most unique educational theatres. Nearly 200 students are enrolled and/or participate in the three theatres it operates. Each year these theatres play to the second largest audience in Michigan--second only to the audience at Detroit's Fisher Theatre, where tours of New York musicals and plays, and pre-Broadway tryouts are presented.

Theatres
The undergraduate university theatre is the historic Bonstelle Theatre. This theatre was once the home of the famous acting company run by the ground-breaking female actor-manager Jessie Bonstelle. Its stage and seating is reminiscent of a Broadway theatre. The university has restored this building and annually produces a series of plays and musical productions here.

The Hilberry Theatre is another exceptional theatre space with an open stage and a ramp which encircles the audience and serves as an extension of the stage. The company is unique in that it is the nation's only graduate theatre company staffed by young up-and-coming professionals and runs on a rotating repertory schedule. There are about 40 graduate students selected in national competition to receive fellowships to work in this theatre and study for advanced degrees. The company performs an annual season of seven plays, including high school matinees for nearly 10,000 students. Through the years four Hilberry productions have been selected to appear at the American College Theatre Festival.

There also is an intimate workshop theatre, the Studio, for experimental and student lab productions.

Touring
The Wayne State Theatre has made four tours abroad. The theatre's touring experience also includes many Children's Theatre tours, the Black Theatre Touring Company and the musical theatre and dance troupe Movin' Theatre.

Alumni
Among the former Wayne State actors who have gone on to successful professional careers are television, stage and screen actors Lily Tomlin, Chad Everett, Michael Tolan, George Pentecost, Max Wright, Jeffrey Tambor and Frederick Coffin, and the Metropolitan Opera Company's George Shirley, John Macurdy and Shirley Love. More recent graduates include Robert Lambert, Anita Barone, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Tom Sizemore.

Awards
Over the years, WSU theatres have been awarded the prestigious Governor's Arts Organization Award as well as frequent honors from Detroit's major newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News, including "Theatre of the Year," "Best Play," "Best Director," and many individual awards for members of the graduate company. WSU alumni have gone on to receive Oscar, Tony, Cable Ace and Emmy awards and nominations. Most recently, the Hilberry was honored with the Best Theatre Company in Detroit by the Metro Times Reader's Poll and earned several Theatre Excellence Awards for acting, design and direction from the Detroit Free Press.