Best 2014 College Productions In DFW

If you want to see original or newly adapted plays, unique choreographed dance performances or hear great music, you only need to look at the local colleges and universities. In a previous article, "Best College Productions To See This Year In The DFW Area," some of the area's budding writers, actors and directors were featured. Here is a list of the best and brightest in the current DFW college theater scene.

"Top Girls" by Caryl Churchill and directed by Professor of Theatre Rhonda Blair explores the lives of famous women at a London dinner party. As the newly promoted managing director of the employment agency Top Girls, Marlene's famous dinner guests from history and mythology include a 13th century Japanese courtesan turned Buddhist nun to armor-clad Dull Gret who is depicted in Bruegel's painting running through hell. Unique, funny and moving is what one could say about "Top Girls."

Ketti Frings' play, directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre, Benard Cummings, is based on the autobiographical novel of Thomas Wolfe. Set at a boarding house in Altmont, North Carolina, it is a drama story about the coming of age of Eugene Gant.

Professor of Dance and Theatre, Timothy Wilson, directs "Bent" by Martin Sherman. "Bent" is set in a concentration camp where two homosexuals attempt to escape the persecution in Nazi Germany. This is an adult production and not suitable for children as it contains provocative language and graphic images.

Related: How To Get Involved In DFWs Theater Community

Shelly Cushman, professor of dance and artistic director, presents advanced choreography students that will perform their original works in New Choreographers Concert. Spirited, interpretive and colorful is an accurate description of the New Choreographers Concert.

The UTA Dance Ensemble will present works from faculty and staff members Danielle Georgiou and Martin Godoy along with student choreographers in this winter concert. Brighten up the chillier months with this uptempo show.

Related: Best Indie Movie Theaters In DFW