"When it comes to a student experience, I think it's going back to finding performing arts experiences that resonate with their lives, connecting to who they are, where they are in their age of their life, and what their interests are," Olmscheid said.

Public relations manager for the Wharton Center Bob Hoffman said the season contains "something for everyone," whether they're students or Mid-Michigan residents.

According to Olmscheid, this season in particular has specific factors that make it unique compared to past seasons, including two concert residencies occurring in October.

Collaborating with different campus partners, the residencies are the Zimbabwe-based band Mokoomba performing on Oct. 9 and the Ukrainian-based group Kurbasy performing "Songs of the Ukrainian Forest" on Oct. 23. 

Additionally, another unique differentiator includes the premiere of "Sally: A Solo Play," a Wharton Center original production, which will take place on Feb. 19-21. Written by East Lansing native Sandra Seaton, the production will star actor Sabrina Sloan and will be directed by a New York City-based director. 

Hoffman said "Sally: A Solo Play" is one of the things he’s looking forward to.

"Sandra Seaton is a good friend of mine personally, and I've heard about her program ‘Sally’ for a number of years, and I'm just so happy that we're able to do that," Hoffman said. "I'm actually really proud too, because she's from East Lansing, and that play is amazing."

On April 3, tickets for the selections of the upcoming performing arts season will be available for subscribers. Anyone can become a subscriber by choosing and purchasing any five of the 31 shows offered, creating their own subscription package. Individual tickets will go on sale this summer.

Here is a full list of the shows coming to the Wharton Center for the 2025-2026 performing arts season.

Wharton Center’s 2025-2026 Variety

Classic Albums Live Performs: Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours” on Sept. 27

World Ballet Company: "The Great Gatsby" on Oct. 2

"Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert" 20th Anniversary Tour on Oct. 7

"Making Spirits Bright" with Ann Hampton Callaway on Dec. 5

"Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique En Cirque" on Jan. 23, 2026

"Sally: A Solo Play," A Wharton Center Production, on Feb. 19-21, 2026

"The Choir of a Man" on Feb. 24, 2026

National Geographic Live: "The Untold Story of Sharks with Jess Cramp" on Feb. 27, 2026 

"The Simon & Garfunkel Story" on March 22, 2026

"Circa: Humans 2.0" on April 14, 2026

"The Wonder Bread Years" on May 14, 2026

2025-2026 Broadway Cabaret

Club 750: "Sincerely, Sondheim" with Nicholas Rodriguez on Nov. 5

Club 750: Patti Murin "Once Upon A Stage" on  Feb. 5, 2026

Club 750: Adam Jacobs "The Songs of Alan Menken" on April 23, 2026

2025-2026 Comedy

Club 750 Comedy: Andy Woodhull on Nov. 6

Kristen Key on Jan. 7, 2026

Club 750 Comedy: Lace Larrabee on Feb. 6, 2026

Club 750 Comedy: Kevin Lee on April 24, 2026

2025-2026 Classical Music

Les Arts Florissants with Théotime Langlois de Swarte: "Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at 300" on Nov. 14

Vienna Boys Choir: "Christmas in Vienna" on  Nov. 30

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Ray Chen on Jan. 26, 2026

Club 750: ArcoStrum on April 22, 2026

2025-2026 Global Music

Mokoomba on Oct. 9

Kurbasy: "Songs of the Ukrainian Forest" on Oct. 23

Club 750: Royal Wood on Feb. 4, 2026

2025-2026 Jazz

Club 750: New Jazz Underground on Nov. 4

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on Feb. 10, 2026

Unlimited Miles: Miles Davis at 100 on March 26, 2026

2025-2026 Act One Family Series

"Dog Man: The Musical" on Nov. 1

Sonia De Los Santos on Jan. 10, 2026 (sensory-friendly performances available)

"Hare & Tortoise" on March 21, 2026 (sensory-friendly performances available)

For more information on tickets and the upcoming performing arts season, visit the Wharton Center’s website here.