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Theatre Arts students in performance of Hair, the Musical.

Arts and Culture

McDaniel is home to the WMC Alumni Hall theatre and Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, which host dozens of productions and exhibitions each year, right on campus. Plus, a vibrant arts scene in local Westminster means activities are always happening year-round with live theatre, musical performances, festivals, and art shows. 

Music Concerts and Theatre in Westminster, Maryland

The arts are an integral part of campus life at McDaniel, celebrated across campus as an opportunity to connect with one another, express creativity, and explore new perspectives. With a full calendar of public events, plus partnerships with the Westminster community, there's always something worth attending.

Students are also regularly inspired to venture across disciplines, creating a unique culture at McDaniel. It's common to meet Computer Science majors who spend time learning theatre lighting; watch Sociology majors perform in musicals; or hear about Chemistry majors interning in art restoration.

Find out what's happening at McDaniel College in McLive, the annual public events calendar.

McLive! Spring 2024 - find out what's happening at McDaniel College

Annual Campus Events

  • Theatre Productions
  • Spring Cinema Showcase
  • Musical Performances
  • Rice Gallery Exhibitions
  • Visiting Artist and Writer Lectures
  • Academic Symposium

By The Numbers

50+

arts events per semester

15+

Student-run clubs and organizations dedicated to a creative pursuit

Asset 12
100+

Classes each semester in the arts

Upcoming Theatre Productions

Eurydice Image

February 29 - March 2; 7:30 p.m. Eurydice WMC Alumni Hall Understage

Written by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Madison Dehais

A reimagining of the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice journeys to the underworld, where she reunites with her beloved father and struggles to recover lost memories of her husband and the world she left behind.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors (60+), students, active military and veterans, and the McDaniel College community. For more information, call the box office at 410-857-2448.

Content Warning: Contains themes of death and grief. May use fog.

Underpants Image

April 25 – 27; 7:30 p.m. The Underpants WMC Alumni Hall Mainstage

Written by Steve Martin
Directed by Tad Janes

It’s 1910 in Germany and Louise Markes, a housewife bored of her bureaucrat husband and their conservative existence attends a royal parade. When jumping on a bench to better view the king, Louise’s bloomers fall to her ankles. Her husband is furious, fearing the scandal will cause him his job. Instead, the room they have been trying to rent out is suddenly gaining a great deal of interest.

Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors (60+), students, active military and veterans, and the McDaniel College community. For more information, call the box office at 410-857-2448.

Content Warning: Mild profanity and adult humor.
 

Click here to purchase tickets.

Music and Art

McDaniel's College Band performing.

Upcoming Concerts Information: 410-857-2552

Concerts are free unless otherwise indicated with *

Chamber Music on the Hill* | March 3 at 3 p.m.

Scott Center, Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd., Westminster | Ticket information: 443-974-6374 or facebook.com/CMOTH

The Encore Chamber Winds with pianist David Kreider, senior lecturer emeritus in Music.

Student Solo Recital | April 12 at 7 p.m. | Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Vocal and piano soloists perform a variety of music, under the direction of Music faculty members Rachel Andrews, Kyle Engler, and Waka Osifchin.

College Choir Concert | April 21 at 7 p.m. | Baker Memorial Chapel

Spring concert featuring music from diverse locales and historical eras, directed by Senior Lecturer Kyle Engler with accompanist Peggy Brengle.

Student African Drum Ensembles | April 25 at 7 p.m. | Naganna Forum, Roj Student Center

Performance by McDaniel’s Student African Drum Ensembles under the direction of Senior Adjunct Lecturer Pape Demba “Paco” Samb.

Singing on Stage | April 28 at 7 p.m. | Dorothy Elderdice Studio Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Class performance of selections from operas and Broadway musicals, directed by Senior Lecturer Kyle Engler with accompanist Peggy Brengle.

A Cappella Ensemble | April 29 at 7:30 p.m. | Baker Chapel

Performance by the Green TerrorTones, McDaniel’s premier vocal ensemble, under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Kyle Engler with accompanist Peggy Brengle.

Jazz Night | May 2 at 7 p.m. | Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Classic big band swing, bebop, Latin, funk, jazz rock, and classic blues, directed by Senior Adjunct Lecturer Tim Jenkins.

College Band Concert | May 3 at 7 p.m. | Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Musical selections ranging from classical to pops, directed by Senior Lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick.

Westminster Symphony Orchestra | May 4 at 3 p.m.

Scott Center, Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd., Westminster

Senior Lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick directs the orchestra, composed of McDaniel and Carroll Community College students, as well as Music faculty and community musicians.

Gospel Choir Concert | May 4 at 7 p.m. | Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Traditional and contemporary gospel music, as well as spirituals, directed by Senior Adjunct Lecturer Shelley Ensor and accompanied by Alice Dorsey.

Chamber Music on the Hill* | May 11 at 7 p.m.

Scott Center, Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd., Westminster
Ticket information: 443-974-6374 or facebook.com/CMOTH

The Atlantic Guitar Quartet

Image of artwork in Rice Gallery beneath a stained glass skylight.

Upcoming Art Exhibitions Rice Gallery Hours: 410-857-2595

Biennial Faculty Exhibition | Jan. 23 - Feb. 16

Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Jan. 26 Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.

Art Talk: Julie Riker | Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

Peterson Hall, Room 104

Guest artist by fine and decorative artist Julie Riker. About the artist: julieriker.com.

Honors Art Exhibition | Feb. 20 - March 8

Feb. 23 Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.

Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Showcasing works by Honors Art students.

Kathryn E. Wentz Juried Undergraduate Exhibition | March 19-29

March 22 Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.

Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Annual art exhibition highlighting the best undergraduate work.

Senior Capstone Exhibition One | April 2-19

April 5 Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.

Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Senior Capstone Exhibition Two | April 23 -May 10

April 26 Opening Reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m.

Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

See a Show

The WMC Alumni Hall theatre and Esther Prangley Rice Gallery offer a variety of shows and exhibitions every year.

The full cast of Heathers The Musical. They are in vivid colored clothing with sad expressions.

Spring 2023 production of “Heathers The Musical."

Spoken word poet Adan Bean speaks on a stage.

Spoken word poet Adán Bean performed on campus before the inauguration of President Julia Jasken, hosted by the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee of the McDaniel College Alumni Council.

Three women singing in the McDaniel College Gospel Choir.

McDaniel Gospel Choir.

Students holding sheet music sing outdoors.

McDaniel College Choir and the Green TerrorTones perform at the college's annual winter event Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light.

students perform in The Importance of Being Earnest

Fall 2021 production of “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Students look at art exhibits

Esther Prangley Rice Gallery hosted student exhibitions during the Second Annual Academic Symposium.

Get Involved!

A male and female student work at a table with a block of clay on it.

Student Organizations

From Clay Club to Contrast Literary Magazine, there's a student-based organization at McDaniel that will spark your interest. 

Students stand in a circle with their arms raised. The room has a panel of stained glass windows behind them.

Diverse Courses

McDaniel is a liberal arts college, which means most students explore the arts even when it's not related to their major. Explore courses in Theatre, Literature, Studio Art, Cinema, Writing, Music, and more.

An audience sits in front of President Jasken at a podium.

Attend Campus Lectures

Annual lecture series at McDaniel include the Ira G. Zepp Memorial Lecture, Bothe Poetry Reading, Wenner-Wingate Memorial Lecture, and Rembert Lecture in Enterprise Economics. Visiting speakers are also hosted by departments each semester.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Explore cultural and spiritual events and programs through the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

  • ODEI Cultural Speaker Series
  • Green Table Talk
  • ODEI Book club
  • Workshops and Trainings

Learn more about ODEI events.

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu speaking at a podium at McDaniel's Black History Month Convocation.

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu at the 2022 Black History Month Convocation.

Art in Action

The sky is the limit for McDaniel Green Terrors, who discover their callings in the classroom, during internships and clubs, at conferences, and anywhere else they want to go. Innovation and exploration are all part of the McDaniel Commitment, leading to unique student experiences — which you can read more about below.

Students work on fitting the inserts and filling in the gaps with canvas fluff to even out the surface before relining.

Hands-On History

Student Kim Parson climbing a ladder with a stage light.

Spotlight on Lighting Design

Sarah Mendez at an easel wearing an apron. Behind her is a market stand with flowers.

120 Minutes of Plein-Air Painting

Drum instructor Paco Samb using a djembe while a student plays the dundun.

Drumming to the Beat

Common Ground on the Hill

Traditions Week at Common Ground

McDaniel College student Amanda Halcott portrayed Caroline in “The Grass is Greenest at the Houston Astrodome,” directed by McDaniel College student Patsy Zetkulic. Halcott is with Marshall, played by McDaniel student Corey Van Huff.

National Recognition

Local Arts Scene

Common Ground on the Hill

Common Ground on the Hill

The regional folklife center of the Maryland State Arts Council's Maryland Traditions program. ‍Located on McDaniel's campus, the center hosts a variety of concerts, festivals, and workshops year-round.

Carroll Arts Center

Located within walking distance of campus, the Carroll Arts Center provides exhibitions, classes, film screenings, and more. For 2023-24, McDaniel faculty, staff, and students receive $5 tickets for Carroll Arts Center Events, plus free popcorn.

Plus more to do in Westminster, Maryland!

Common Ground Deer Creek Fiddlers

Common Ground on the Hill receives Maryland State Arts Council award

Common Ground on the Hill, in residence at McDaniel College, received the Maryland State Arts Council's Heritage Award in the Tradition category for the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention. Common Ground on the Hill was founded in 1994 by Walt Michael '68 who assumed directorship of the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention in 2011.

Read "Common Ground on the Hill receives Maryland State Arts Council award"

Recent Arts & Culture News

  • Women's History Month graphic

    McDaniel College hosts events for Women's History Month

    A lecture by community organizer Rosa Clemente on Tuesday, March 5, and a celebration for International Women's Day on Friday, March 8, mark Women's History Month at McDaniel College. Both events are organized by McDaniel's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and are free and open to the public.
  • Honoring Black History Month, McDaniel College

    Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosts events to honor Black History Month

    McDaniel College's Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosts events in February in honor of Black History Month, including a Black History Month Convocation: Educational Showcase and Black History Month Convocation on Thursday, Feb. 8, and a discussion on “Navigating Higher Ed in the Current DEIJ Climate” on Thursday, Feb. 22. These events are free and open to the public.
  • Out of Darkness header

    New tradition celebrates the McDaniel community while ushering in the holiday season

    “Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light” on Wednesday, Nov. 29, combined beloved college traditions with new experiences in honor of the college’s motto “E Tenebris in Lucem Voco” or “I call you out of darkness into light.” The evening was filled with light, education, food, and the sharing of cultural traditions.
All News

Annual Campus Events

  • Theatre Productions
  • Spring Cinema Showcase
  • Musical Performances
  • Rice Gallery Exhibitions
  • Visiting Artist and Writer Lectures
  • Academic Symposium
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Westminster, MD, 21157
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