After a thrilling debut that reimagined the Play Circle as a hip-hop hotspot, the excitement is far from over. We’re looking back on the three inaugural Black Box Sessions concerts from the 2024-25 season and even sharing a sneak peek at what’s coming up next season!
The idea for the Black Box Sessions was born from a passionate commitment to bring intimate experiences to our audience that represent genres outside our existing Classical and Jazz Series but are very much part of the performing arts canon. Black Box sessions performances take place in our black box theater, Play Circle, which seats fewer than 200 people. The genre of focus for the 24-25 season was nostalgic, early aughts hip-hop, and, to enhance the experience, the theater team transformed the Play Circle into a cool, club-inspired space reminiscent of venues in the Bronx where hip-hop was born.
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24-25 Black Box Sessions Lineup
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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024: Sa-Roc
We kicked off the very first Black Box Sessions show with one of the fiercest emcees in underground hip-hop. Sa-Roc’s inaugural performance was everything in energy, lyricism and power.
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Thursday, Jan. 30: Marlowe
Solemn Brigham’s debut in Madison and in this pilot concert series was pivotal. In his studio class with University of Wisconsin–Madison students and in his performance, his artistry, prescient lyrics and stage presence exemplified how and why hip-hop is a timeless medium.
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Thursday, Feb. 13: Smif-N-Wessun
By the time Smif-N-Wessun entered the Play Circle, Madison had received the message loud and clear: hip-hop is part of the performing arts canon. Those who lived through the duo’s inception in 1990s Brooklyn were transported back in time, and those who hadn’t been born yet said it felt like they were getting to witness history firsthand.
After a season that exceeded expectations, we’re not hitting pause—we’re turning up the volume.
Coming Up for the Black Box Sessions
The students in our Wisconsin Union Directorate Performing Arts Committee were so excited with the positive feedback and audience enthusiasm at our hip-hop concerts that they’ve decided to continue with the genre for the 2025-26 season This time, rather than having a look back on the origins of the genre, we’re going to explore what’s coming next in hip-hop. Stay tuned in June for the official announcement of which artists are coming!