The UNC Greensboro Concert and Lecture Series kicks off on Friday, September 25 with Broadway and television actor/singer Alex Newell.
Newell recently made history with their Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in Shucked, which has received glowing reviews and praise with their performance of the song “Independently Owned” being called a showstopper. Their performance also received a Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical.
Fans will also know Newell from television roles in Glee (Unique) and Zooey’s Extraordinary Playlist (Mo).
“I have hoped to bring Alex Newell to UNCG for years,” notes Associate Professor of Theatre Mya Brown. “Their artistry is extraordinary, but what excites me most is what their presence can mean for our students. Many of our students see parts of themselves and their experiences reflected in Alex.”
Before the public performance, Newell will participate in “Beyond the Stage,” a Q&A which is open to all UNCG students. Professor Brown emphasizes the significance of this opportunity:
“At a time when conversations around identity and belonging can feel especially difficult, there is comfort and power in seeing someone who shares those identities living boldly, creating incredible work, and thriving at the highest level of our profession. I am so excited for our students to experience that representation firsthand.”
Newell also starred as Asaka in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. The production was nominated for nine Tony Awards in 2018, won Best Revival, and featured Newell’s song “Mama Will Provide,” which they performed live at the Tonys.
Named in the 2023 Variety’s New Power of New York list, Newell is also featured in the 2023 Time Magazine’s TIME100 Next list, a list of the one hundred individuals who are shaping the future of their fields and defining the next generation of leadership. Additionally, they were named the 2023 Breakthrough of the Year by Time Magazine, a brand-new feature that is part of the annual Person of the Year issue.
Newell can now be seen in the Amazon film Simple Favor 2 directed by Paul Feig, and is currently performing in the Off-Broadway revival of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
A Season of Something for Everyone
UCLS has a 114-year history of bringing world-class artists and speakers to campus, and this year’s lineup continues with that tradition. Following Alex Newell, UCLS continues with a season that spans the arts with dance, jazz, popular music, and visual art.
On Friday, Oct. 16, UCLS gets moving with Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theatre — the country’s leading street dance theater company dedicated to preserving and disseminating hip-hop aesthetics.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, the School of Music presents the 19th annual Collage concert, which this year honors the United States’ 250th anniversary with the theme of “American Voices.”
On Friday, Feb. 5, 2023’s Grammy-winning best new artist and six-time Grammy-winner, jazz superstar Samara Joy graces the stage.
And on Saturday, March 20, it’s an evening with North Carolina-native and Emmy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Ben Folds.
The season also includes performances by two Robinson Family Visiting Artists:
John Scofield, three-time Grammy Award®-winning jazz guitarist and composer, and Carmen Bradford,Grammy Award®-winning vocalist of the Count Basie Orchestra
UCLS and the Falk Visiting Artist Fund present Clarence Morgan, an American abstract painter whose work spans painting, drawing, printmaking, and a reflective writing practice.
Tickets for all performances are on sale now at ucls.uncg.edu or by calling ETix at 800.514.3849. There are special discounts for UNCG students, faculty, and staff. Bundle and save 10% by purchasing tickets at any level to all four of these performances: Alex Newell, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Samara Joy, and Ben Folds.
The series is supported by several generous sponsors and the University, which allows us to bring leading artists to our campus and the community:
Presenting Sponsors: Joseph M. Bryan, Jr. and The Cemala Foundation
Underwriting Sponsors: Melissa Greer/Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices and UNCG Housing and Residence Life
Hospitality Sponsor: Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels
Media Sponsor: Our State magazine
Performance Sponsors: Pam and David Sprinkle (Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theatre) and Pamela Pittman and Ward Robinson (Robinson Family Visiting Jazz Artists).
2026–2027 UNC Greensboro Concert and Lecture Series
Click link for tickets
Sept. 25, 2026
8:00 pm
UNCG Auditorium
Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theatre
Oct. 16, 2026
8:00 pm
UNCG Auditorium
Oct. 24, 2026
7:30 pm
UNCG Auditorium
Feb. 5, 2027
8:00 pm
UNCG Auditorium
