Cast of ‘Detroit ’67’ inspired by Motown research trip for upcoming production

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The cast of “Detroit ’67,” a Penn State Centre Stage musical theater production in the College of Arts and Architecture’s School of Theatre, traveled in March to the historic district of Detroit for what turned out to be a transformative research and educational trip that not only prepared but inspired the cast and crew.

“Detroit ’67,” written by Dominique Morisseau in 2013, explores the 1967 Detroit riots through siblings Chelle and Lank, who run an unlicensed bar in their basement to make ends meet. The show will run from April 16 to 18 and is part of Centre Stage's 2026 Graduate Directing Festival.

The high-energy show set to Motown music of the 1960s tackles complex issues such as racial tensions, police brutality, economic instability and the impact of the civil rights movement.

In preparation for the production, students traveled to Detroit for site-specific research that brought them to numerous Detroit Historical Society sites, including the Motown Museum and the 12th Street neighborhood where the play and much of the unrest during the riots took place.

“Each spot on our itinerary illuminated tangible connections to places, people and events mentioned in the play,” said Marcus Jordan, who is pursuing his master of fine arts in directing and will direct the Penn State show. “It was inspiring to see the actors eager to engage in conversation about how the trip was deepening their knowledge of the show's given circumstance while providing helpful information to inform character arcs.”

Jules Thermidor, a first-year acting student making his Centre Stage debut and playing the role of Lank, said his biggest takeaway from the trip was the harrowing effects that the Detroit riots of 1967 had on the community and population.

“Merely driving around was an experience,” Thermidor said. “The atmosphere felt as though there was something taken from the community that couldn't quite be brought back just yet.”

Kikora Franklin, director of the School of Theatre, said experiential learning in theater pedagogy often leads to a deeper understanding of the role and function of theater and theater artists.

“Beyond character development, traveling to a site-specific location provides a unifying experience for the cast and crew, and more holistically these experiences highlight the social, cultural and historical context in the stories we tell,” Franklin said.

Supported by the School of Theatre’s production fund, trip accommodations included a night in a historic Detroit home where, during the stay, the group was granted access to the home’s basement — a setting similar to where the action of the musical takes place.

For Bob Gasper, adjunct lecturer in the School of Theatre and mentor to the show’s stage management team, the walk through the basement was a pivotal moment on the trip that informed much of the production process.

“When Marcus took us all into the basement of the home, we were instantly transported,” Gasper said. “Walking through the small rooms, we got a sense of what the characters in the play meant when they say, ‘You could feel the walls sweat.’”

The unity developed during the trip allowed the cast to meaningfully explore the power and history of Black people reaching for joy amidst great turmoil, Jordan explained, which deeply inspired the rehearsal process.

“Taking the trip together as a cast has inspired a beautiful group dynamic,” Jordan said. “The cast is continuously striving to find ways to dig deep into this story, and they are dedicated to the task of showcasing authentic storytelling and honoring the legacy of the 12th Street Community.”

The show opens on April 16 at the Penn State Downtown Theatre and runs through April 18. For more information on the show and links to purchase tickets, visit the College of Arts and Architecture website.