ANNOUNCING THE
2025-2026 SEASON
These events have been funded by the Frederica G. Esbenshade Memorial Fund, which provides annual income for the purpose of bringing lectures, performing artists, and programs of a diverse nature to the campus and community at large. The endowed fund was established in 1980 by Harry H Esbenshade Sr., and Harry H. Esbenshade Jr., husband and son, respectively, of the late Mrs. Esbenshade of Uniontown, Pa. All events are free and open to the public.
For events at the Peoples Bank Theatre, reserve your seats for free at peoplesbanktheatre.com of call the Peoples Bank Theatre Box Office at 740.371.5152. Limit 4 tickets per person.
For events at The Gathering Place and McDonough Auditorium at Marietta College, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
COMPAGNIE HERVÉ KOUBI
“They Fly. They Spin. They Change How You See the Amazing.” - The New York Times
September 24, 2025
Peoples Bank Theatre
Doors open 7:30 p.m.
Showtime 8 p.m.
Reserve free seats at www.peoplesbanktheatre.com
Ticket reservations begin on September 15th 10 a.m.
Absolutely unique and utterly original, this fearless company defies gravity. Bringing together dancers of diverse nationalities–some from communities not often expected to share a stage–Compagnie Hervé Koubi blends contemporary and urban dance, capoeira, and martial arts with powerful imagery and inspired choreography, showcasing the incredible unifying power of dance. After learning of his Algerian roots, Koubi returned to his ancestral country to collaborate with street dancers from across the Mediterranean. What emerged is Sol Invictus, “a creation of poetic beauty” (The New York Times), a meditative yet athletic work that explores the ties that bind us.
“In Compagnie Hervé Koubi’s 'Sol Invictus,' the dancers’ extraordinary moves are integrated into a poetic vision.” - The New York Times
Sol Invictus is named after the “invincible sun” deity, the work upholds love as the guarantor of peace, that despite fracture, communion emerges as humanity’s saving grace. The music score includes a composition by Swedish composer Mikael Karlsson, with excerpts by Steve Reich and digital composer Maxime Bodson. “I want to talk about light, solidarity, and those bonds that unite us,” says Koubi. “Here, the sun and the dance will emerge victorious.”
BILLY BOB THORNTON & THE BOXMASTERS
October 8, 2025
Peoples Bank Theatre
Doors open 6 p.m.
Showtime 7 p.m.
Reserve free seats at www.peoplesbanktheatre.com
Reservations start September 29th 10AM
Formed in 2006, The Boxmasters have recorded an impressive and diverse catalogue of music that touches on their love of a wide array of influences, but most importantly, the rock and roll of the 1960’s. Listening to The Boxmasters, one can hear obvious odes to the Beatles, Byrds and Beach Boys, but also important to The Boxmasters are The Mothers of Invention, The Allman Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and Big Star.
As a touring band, The Boxmasters have cultivated a rabid cult fanbase across the United States, Canada and now Europe and the United Kingdom. Opening for the likes of ZZ Top, Steve Miller, George Thorogood and Bubbles and The Sh*t Rockers, The Boxmasters have proven to win over large audiences.
The Boxmasters kicked off the “Pepper Tree Hill” tour of the United States in August in conjunction with the release of their newest album, of the same name, in July. The album, which showcases their love for the sounds of the sixties and the inspiration of their studio, is the 19th release by the prolific artists.
MARY ROACH
November 12, 2025
McDonough Auditorium - Marietta College
Doors open 6 p.m.
Showtime 7 p.m.
(Seating is first come first served)
McDonough Auditorium is Building #2 on the campus map. Free parking is available in the lot at Butler and Fourth St.
The author of eight acclaimed books, including several New York Times bestsellers, Mary Roach is known for:
- STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers;
- GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal;
- PACKING FOR MARS: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, and
- FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law.
Her upcoming ninth book, Replaceable You, will release in September 2025.
In this program, Mary Roach invites the audience into the hilarious anecdotes, mind-blowing facts, and unknown realities of the relationship between humans and the natural world around us in a fascinating talk based on her latest book - Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law.
Roach's books have been published in 21 languages, and her second book, SPOOK, was a New York Times Notable Book. Mary has written for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times Magazine, and the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, among others. She was a guest editor of the Best American Science and Nature Writing series and an Osher Fellow with the San Francisco Exploratorium. She serves as an advisor for Orion and Undark magazines. She has been a finalist for the Royal Society's Winton Prize and a winner of the American Engineering Societies' Engineering Journalism Award, in a category for which, let's be honest, she was the sole entrant.
DOM FLEMONS
January 22, 2026
The Gathering Place – Marietta College
Doors Open 6 p.m.
Showtime 7 p.m.
(Seating is first come first served)
The Gathering Place is Building #43 on the campus map.
Click here for parking options.
“Dom Flemons is one of the most accomplished American Folk Artists… few have pumped as much lifeblood into tradition as he has.” - MOJO Magazine
Dom Flemons is known as “The American Songster®" since his repertoire covers over one hundred years of American roots music. Flemons is a folk musician, black country artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music scholar, historian, actor, slam poet, record collector, curator, podcaster, cultural commentator, influencer, and the creator, host, and producer of the "American Songster Radio Show" on WSM in Nashville, TN. He is the Co-Founder and original member of the groundbreaking Carolina Chocolate Drops, the first ever black string band to win a GRAMMY Award. Over the past 25 years, he has received major awards, gained world-wide media recognition and has become one of the most influential and highly decorated voices in American roots music.
SUSAN WERNER
“Susan Werner, a clever songwriter and an engaging performer, brings literacy and wit back to popular song.” - The New Yorker
February 27th 2026
McDonough Auditorium – Marietta College
Doors 6 p.m.
Showtime 7 p.m.
(Seating is first come first served)
McDonough Auditorium is Building #2 on the campus map.
Free parking is available in the lot at Butler and Fourth St.
Known for her engaging and energetic live show, Susan Werner continues her reign as one of the most bold and creative forces on the acoustic music scene today. Dubbed by NPR as the “Empress of the Unexpected”, Werner’s album projects cover the genres of folk, rock, pop, gospel, blues and Americana.
She composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm. Throughout her expansive career, boundless versatility has emerged as a hallmark of Werner’s talent and has proven to be a quintessential ingredient of her engrossing musical personae.
“Always an impressive songwriter, Werner continues to compose sharp, funny, compassionate lyrics, a gift rare enough to set her apart.” - The Washington Post