ANNOUNCING THE
2026-2027 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 or call the Peoples Bank Theatre Box Office at 740.371.5152. Limit 4 tickets per person.
For events at McDonough Auditorium on the Marietta College campus, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who served as artistic director for 38 seasons, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. Today, Francesca Harper sits at the helm in her sixth season as Artistic Director, bringing fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.
Program schedule:
IN THE MOMENT (Choreography by Francesca Harper)
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE (excerpt) (Choreography by Houston Thomas)
NIGHT CREATURE (Choreography by Alvin Ailey)
Ailey II photos by Nir Arieli
ELIJAH WALD
Best-Selling Author, Musician, and Historian
“Bob Dylan, Jelly Roll Morton, and the Problems of Doing History”
November 19, 2026
McDonough Auditorium at 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. Parking is available in the lot at Butler and Fourth St.
Elijah Wald is a musician, writer, and historian known for examining—and often challenging—popular myths of music history. He holds a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology and sociolinguistics, and his numerous honors include a 2002 Grammy Award. Two of his books have inspired acclaimed films: The Mayor of MacDougal Street, which helped inspire the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis, and Dylan Goes Electric!, the basis for A Complete Unknown.
Wald worked as a music journalist for The Boston Globe for twenty years. His other books include Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues; Narcocorrido: A Journey into the Music of Drugs, Guns, and Guerrillas; How the Beatles Destroyed Rock ’n’ Roll: An Alternative History of American Popular Music; The Dozens: A History of Rap’s Mama; Global Minstrels: Voices of World Music; and Riding with Strangers: A Hitchhiker’s Journey.
His most recent book, Jelly Roll Blues: Censored Songs and Hidden Histories, explores the subversive, often-censored songs and overlooked histories of early blues and jazz.
Learn more: Elijah Wald Website
RICHARD THOMPSON & BAND
“The finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix.” - The Los Angeles Times
January 28, 2027
Peoples Bank Theatre
Doors open 6:00 p.m. | Showtime 7 p.m.
Ticket reservations begin January 18, 2027 at 10 a.m.
Richard Thompson’s musical influence cannot be overstated. Having co-founded the groundbreaking group Fairport Convention as a teenager in the ‘60s, he and his bandmates invented the distinctive strain of British Folk Rock. He left the group by the age of 21 which was followed by a decade-long musical partnership with his then wife Linda, to over 30 years as a highly successful solo artist.
In 2011, Thompson received an OBE (Order of the British Empire), personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. Rolling Stone has named him one of the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time.
He has received lifetime achievement awards for songwriting from the BBC Radio 2 Awards, the Americana Music Association, and was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Award. His song “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Greatest Songs Since 1923.”
A wide range of musicians have recorded Thompson’s songs including Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., SleaterKinney, Del McCoury, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Jones, David Byrne, Don Henley, Los Lobos, and many others. His massive body of work includes many Grammy nominated albums as well as numerous soundtracks, including Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man and 2019’s The Cold Blue. His genre defying mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar along with engaging energy and onstage wit continue to earn him new fans and a place as one of the most distinctive virtuosos and writers in Folk Rock history.
THE ARMY, THE NAVY
“We want our listeners to feel seen, their vulnerability and bravery acknowledged. We want them to feel propelled to do scary things even if they don't have the confidence to do them.” - Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg
February 11, 2027
Peoples Bank Theatre
Doors Open 6 p.m. | Showtime 7 p.m.
Ticket reservations begin February 1, 2027 at 10 a.m.
The Army, The Navy—Maia Ciambriello and Sasha Goldberg—have quickly established themselves as one of indie music’s rising duos. The pair began writing songs together as roommates and songwriting students in New Orleans before their 2023 single “Vienna” caught fire online, launching a growing following and opportunities to open for artists including Dora Jar, Paris Paloma, and Matt Maltese. Following their 2024 EPs "Fruit for Flies and Sugar for Bugs," they sold out much of their headlining Gentle Hellraiser tour across the United States.
Now based in Los Angeles, the duo has expanded its intimate, atmospheric sound into a full-scale studio production with its debut album, "Fake Brave Life." Recorded in Athens, Ga. and New York City with producers Drew Vandenberg and BLEACHERS’ Mikey Freedom Hart, the album explores love, loss, vulnerability, and the courage required to put art into the world. With their cosmic songwriting, haunting harmonies, and emotionally charged performances, The Army, The Navy invite listeners to embrace vulnerability, find their own courage, and be “fake brave” until bravery becomes real.
ELLIS PAUL
March 21, 2027
Peoples Bank Theatre
Doors Open 6 p.m. | Showtime 7 p.m.
Ticket reservations begin March 15, 2027 at 10 a.m.
Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. He weaves deeply personal experiences with social issues and renders them as provocative works that are as timely as they are timeless.
His songs have appeared in several blockbuster films (“Me, Myself, and Irene”; “Shallow Hal”; “Hall Pass”) and have been covered by award-winning country artists Sugarland, Kristian Bush, and Jack Ingram.
Paul has picked up an impressive number of awards including the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Award, 15 Boston Music Awards, the 2019 International Acoustic Music Awards Artist of the Year and his album, "The Storyteller’s Suitcase," was named the 2019 NERFA Album of the Year.
His most recent album 55–released in 2023–touches on the necessity of gratitude in a difficult era of the pandemic and divided political stances on his own imprint, Rosella Records. Paul is currently writing his first novel, a science fiction fantasy for young adults titled "The Last Song Mankind Wrote."