May 8, 2026 | Theatre,

A Look Back at Our 25/26 Season

As the 25/26 season comes to an end, it’s a great time to reflect on the wide variety of performances that filled ArtsEmerson’s stages this year. This season brought together artists from different backgrounds and artistic styles, offering audiences performances that ranged from comedy and puppetry to circus arts and dramatic storytelling. Each production explored meaningful themes and created opportunities for audiences to connect with new ideas and perspectives.

The season began in September with Kristina Wong, #FoodBankInfluencer, a solo performance that blended comedy, storytelling, and music. The show was inspired by Kristina Wong’s real-life work supporting food banks during the pandemic, and it highlighted the importance of community care and mutual aid. Through humor and honest storytelling, the production set an energetic tone for the rest of the season while also encouraging audiences to think about how communities support one another during challenging times.

In October, audiences experienced Hang Time, a poetic and reflective production that focused on three Black men suspended in space. The show explored themes of identity, vulnerability, and connection, using stillness and language to create a thoughtful and emotional experience. The simplicity of the staging allowed the audience to focus closely on the performers and their stories, creating a quiet but powerful atmosphere.

Later in October, just in time for Halloween, The 4th Witch brought a visually creative interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to the stage. Using shadow puppetry, live actors, and music, the production reimagined the story from the perspective of a young girl connected to the witches. The mix of technology and traditional storytelling created striking visuals that helped audiences see a familiar story in a completely new way.

November featured SpaceBridge, a multimedia performance created in collaboration with young people who had experienced displacement. Through storytelling, movement, and projections, the show shared personal stories about migration, resilience, and connection. It created an emotional experience that encouraged empathy and highlighted the importance of understanding different lived experiences.

2026 kicked off with Noli Timere, a circus-based performance that used large net structures and aerial movement to create a visually dynamic environment. The performers moved through the space in ways that emphasized trust, teamwork, and physical strength. The performance combined risk and artistry, turning physical movement into a form of storytelling that captured the audience’s attention.

In February, The Things Around Us offered a more intimate performance experience. This musical memoir used live trumpet and electronic sound to tell personal stories about identity, creativity, and everyday life. The performance blended music and storytelling in a way that felt personal and reflective, giving audiences a chance to connect with the performer’s experiences on an emotional level.

Shortly after, Dead As A Dodo brought humor and imagination to the stage through puppetry and music. The story followed a dodo bird and a skeleton boy on a journey that explored friendship, extinction, and belonging. The creative puppet design and playful storytelling made the production visually engaging while still touching on meaningful themes about memory and connection.

In the spring, audiences experienced The Secret Sharer, a theatrical adaptation inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novella. The production combined movement, storytelling, and visual design to explore themes of secrecy, trust, and responsibility. As a world premiere, it reflected ArtsEmerson’s commitment to presenting new and innovative work that pushes creative boundaries.

The season will conclude June 13-28 with In Old Age, a powerful and emotional production that explored themes of grief, healing, and unexpected connection. The story follows an older woman who forms an unlikely relationship with a repairman, creating moments that are both quiet and deeply moving. As the final show of the season, it offered a meaningful ending that encouraged reflection on resilience and human connection.

Looking back, the 25/26 season highlighted the diversity of global performance and storytelling that ArtsEmerson is known for. Each production offered something unique, whether through innovative staging, personal storytelling, or visually creative techniques. Together, these performances created a season that encouraged audiences to think deeply, feel strongly, and stay connected to the power of live theater.

Don’t miss the announcement of our 26/27 season, taking place May 20 at 7pm at the Emerson Paramount Center! Tickets are free with an RSVP, and the first 100 guests will receive a special gift upon entry!

Did you see any of the shows in our last season? Let us know in the comments!