The Brightest Stars Shine in Brookings
This season, Woodbine Productions brings you a blockbuster lineup that’s bold, breathtaking, and unforgettable.
Since 2006, Woodbine Productions has been bringing the finest performers to South Dakota State University with the primary intent of inspiring SDSU students and introducing the entire Brookings community to the highest caliber of talent available.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, these performances and all affiliated expenses are underwritten, enabling all ticket proceeds to support scholarships for students involved in the performing arts at SDSU.
2025-2026 Season
"Don Giovanni" featuring Teatro Lirico D'Europa
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Oscar Larson Theatre
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
World class opera troupe, Teatro Lirico D’Europa returns to the Oscar Larson Theatre with their professional cast of operatic stars to offer the scandalous and entertaining retelling of Don Juan in Mozart’s, “Don Giovanni”.
Mozart approached his operatic retelling of the Don Juan myth from a point of view that is neither tragic nor entirely comic, but rather lighthearted, urbane, and ironic. We follow the title character and his earthy comic sidekick, Leporello, through a series of encounters that begin with a fatal duel, moves back and forth between the humorous and the sentimental, and ends with the protagonist being dragged down to hell.
This performance features a full orchestra of professional musicians, the impressive Teatro Lirico D’ Europa artist roster and will highlight some of the top voices from South Dakota State University’s School of Performing Arts joining the chorus.
This performance will be sung in Italian with English supertitles projected.
DIVA Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Maurice Hines: "Tappin’ Thru Life"
Friday, February 27, 2026 | 7:30 pm
Oscar Larson Theatre
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra Celebrates Maurice Hines: Tappin’ Thru Life - An electrifying tribute to a show business legend
Get ready for a night of unstoppable energy, dazzling talent, and pure joy! The acclaimed DIVA Jazz Orchestra joins the original cast of Maurice Hines’ award-winning, autobiographical show Tappin’ Thru Life for a concert experience that’s part big band spectacular, part heartfelt celebration of one of America’s great entertainers.
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra—hailed for its powerhouse sound, tight ensemble work, and all-star lineup of women jazz artists—brings fresh fire to the beloved American big band tradition. Under the direction of Sherrie Maricle, DIVA swings with style, soul, and excitement that audiences feel from the very first note.
At the heart of the evening is the extraordinary legacy of Maurice Hines—Broadway star, tap master, singer, and choreographer. Through music and stories, Tappin’ Thru Life shines a spotlight on Hines’ remarkable career and his journey from childhood performances with brother Gregory Hines to his own star turns on stage and screen. Blending infectious jazz, show-stopping tap, and timeless charm, this production is a joyous salute to a life in rhythm.
Whether you’re a lifelong jazz lover, a theatre aficionado, or simply looking for an unforgettable night out, Tappin’ Thru Life will have you smiling, clapping, and cheering along. Don’t miss this magical celebration of music, dance, and the spirit of Maurice Hines!
Boston Pops on Tour: "Star Wars: The Story in Music"
Sunday, March 1, 2026 | 5 pm
Larson Memorial Concert Hall
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
Take an intergalactic musical journey with musical superstars, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops!
Watching all nine episodes of Star Wars would take over 20 hours, Star Wars: The Story in Music condenses the iconic saga into a thrilling two-hour concert. In their first ever South Dakota performance, you can re-live the entire saga of Star Wars in just two hours, as a live narrator and the Boston Pops bring this epic story and iconic music to life.
South Dakota State University and the School of Performing Arts welcome the spectacular Boston Pops in celebration of the $1 million in music scholarship funding that tickets to Woodbine Productions have supported since its inception. While our benefactor remains anonymous…we can assure you, Yoda would say, “No greater gift there is, than a generous heart.”
This interstellar concert experience will awaken the Force within you and transport you to a galaxy far, far away, but only in Brookings!
INSPIRED BY WOODBINE PRODUCTIONS
Silent Film with Pipe Organ: Charlie Chaplin’s “The Pawnshop” and “The Kid”
Monday, November 3, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Founders Recital Hall
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
Inspired by Woodbine Productions, Sandy and Doug Oleson continue their support of Silent Film with Pipe Organ with the 5th performance by visiting organist and silent film historian, Ben Model.
Chaplin’s first full-length feature, “The Kid”, is a silent masterpiece about a little tramp who discovers an orphan and brings him up but is left desolate when the orphanage reclaims him. Chaplin directed, produced and starred in the film.
Paired with “The Pawnshop”, Charlie, the not-so-punctual and dependable pawnbroker’s assistant, starts his day with his usual duties at the pawnshop—a bit of dusting; some polishing up, and above all, a lot of quarrelling with his co-worker. Before long, a customer arrives—what a fabulous opportunity for Charlie to exhibit his subtle technical skills, and to give his critical scientific evaluation with the use of a rusty can-opener. Then, another client comes, eager to see the diamonds; however, could he be a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Past Shows
An Evening with Heather Headley
Friday, September 26, 2025
Larson Memorial Concert Hall
The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center
Tony and Grammy Award-Winning Broadway Star in Concert
Get ready for an unforgettable night as Heather Headley—one of the most electrifying voices of stage, song, and the big and small screen—graces our stage for a spectacular evening of music. Known for her commanding presence and breathtaking vocals, Headley has dazzled audiences from Broadway’s The Lion King and Aida to concert halls around the world.
Whether you are a lifelong lover of musical theatre, a fan of soul-stirring ballads, or simply seeking a night of extraordinary entertainment, An Evening with Heather Headley promises to move and inspire. With a repertoire that bridges Broadway, gospel, R&B, and pop, Headley brings passion, artistry, and heart to every note.
In addition to her stage credits, you may recognize Heather from one of her dozen plus movie roles or for her recurring roles on Chicago Med and currently in Sweet Magnolias. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a true star live in concert.
Aaron Neville
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Alex Fox: Guitars on Fire
Audra McDonald
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Canadian Brass
Chanticleer
Count Basie Orchestra with Diane Schuur
Delfeayo Marsalis & Uptown Jazz Orchestra
Doc Severinsen Big Band
Dukes of Dixieland
Ethan Bortnick
Frankie Avalon
Gavin Lee and Emily Harvey
Glen Miller Big Band
Home Free
Il Divo
Imago Theatre, Frogz
John Tesh & his Big Band
Joshua Bell & Alessio Bax
Kristin Chenoweth
La Bohème
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Leslie Odom, Jr.
Mandy Harvey
Marie Osmond
Mark O’Connor
Michael Feinstein & the Carnegie Hall Big Band
Mnozil Brass
Moscow Symphony
New Shanghai Circus
Patti LuPone
Pentatonix
Pink Martini
Postmodern Jukebox
Rhythmic Circus
Sir James & Lady Jeanne Galway
Six Appeal
Soweto Gospel Choir
Step Afrika!
Take 6
TenThing
The 5 Browns
The Four Phantoms
The King’s Singers
The Manhattan Transfer
The Midtown Men
The Peking Acrobats
The Real Group
The Tenors
Wynton Marsalis & JLCO
Woodbine Productions is a project of the SDSU Foundation and an anonymous benefactor who underwrites all performance expenses. Thanks to the donor’s generosity, every dollar of every ticket sold for every Woodbine Productions concert, goes directly to providing substantial, competitive scholarships to students involved in performing arts at South Dakota State University.
The Woodbine Scholarship awards are divided into two categories of recipients, the Woodbine Scholars and Woodbine Performance Awards. Woodbine Scholars are selected for exceptional achievement and promise in the School of Performing Arts and receive multi-year awards to support their academic pursuits as Music or Theatre majors. Woodbine Performance Awards are awarded annually, following competitive auditions juried by South Dakota State University School of Performing Arts faculty for any incoming students participating in ensembles.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, nearly 200 prospective students auditioned. Thanks to Woodbine Productions funds as well as music and theatre scholarships funded by private individuals, more than 100 incoming freshmen were awarded talent scholarships. Please consider joining our generous donors by making a gift at any level. All gifts are tax deductible and will directly support music scholarships at South Dakota State University.
The School of Performing Arts at South Dakota State University brings the finest in performance and higher education opportunities in dance, music and theatre together in one academic unit, centrally housed in the Midwest’s newest comprehensive performing arts center.
More than ten percent of all SDSU students, regardless of their major, participate in the performing arts at State each year. Led by dedicated and knowledgeable faculty who were educated in some of the nation’s most prestigious music schools, music students are challenged to do their best in their studies, whether applied lessons, music theory and history courses, or in music ensembles. For those who want to major in music, three options are available – the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Arts in Music (Music Entrepreneurship Specialization).
Theatre and dance at SDSU offers opportunities for all students to participate. Theatre majors and minors, Dance minors, and any interested State student may become involved in the robust schedule of productions each year. Auditions are open to any enrolled student. Students may also be involved off the stage working in areas such as: stage management, costume design and construction, scenic design and construction, props design and construction, lighting and sound design and execution, theatrical rigging, publicity/promotion, ticket sales and front-of house management.