BROOKINGS Its a lineup that wouldnt be out of place in New Yorks Lincoln Center or Chicagos Symphony Center. But come this fall, some of the worlds most celebrated performers including a Tony and Grammy winner, an internationally touring opera company, a jazz orchestra with top-tier tap talent, and none other than the Boston Pops will take the stage right here in Brookings.
Now entering its 19th season, Woodbine Productions has quietly become one of the most remarkable cultural offerings in the region. More than a collection of concerts, its a vision brought to life a gift to the region and a lifeline to music students at South Dakota State University. Thanks to one anonymous benefactor who underwrites all production expenses, every dollar from ticket sales goes directly toward scholarships for SDSU music majors.
This isnt just entertainment its opportunity, said David Reynolds, director of the SDSU School of Performing Arts. Its about giving our students a future in music, and giving our community world-class experiences close to home.
The 202526 season opens Sept. 26, when Heather Headley steps into the spotlight. Known for her soul-stirring vocals and magnetic stage presence, Headley is a Broadway icon (Tony Award for Aida), a Grammy-winning gospel artist, and a television favorite from Sweet Magnolias and Chicago Med. Her Brookings performance promises to blend Broadway, soul, and spirit in a concert thats sure to be unforgettable.
In October, opera lovers and those curious to give it a try will have a rare chance to see a full-scale production of Mozarts Don Giovanni. The Oct. 24 performance comes courtesy of Teatro Lirico DEuropa, the touring company known for its rich, traditional productions. The opera will feature a full orchestra, elaborate staging, and an international cast. It’s opera at its most powerful and accessible.
On Feb. 27, the season brings rhythm, story, and swing with The DIVA Jazz Orchestras Tappin Thru Life. The high-energy production honors the legacy of showbiz tap-dancing legend Maurice Hines and features a powerhouse cast including Clint Holmes, Ann Hampton Callaway, and tap sensations John and Leo Manzari. With a live big band and dazzling movement, its a celebration of entertainment history that promises to bring the house down.
The season concludes March 1 with an appearance that would be a headline anywhere in the country: the Boston Pops, led by maestro Keith Lockhart, performing Star Wars: The Story in Music. Part of a limited national tour, this performance will also mark a milestone for the series more than $1 million raised in ticket-driven scholarship support for SDSU music students.
Its not every day that a town the size of Brookings lands a visit from the Boston Pops or hosts a Grammy-winning vocalist and an international opera company, all in one season. But then again, Woodbine Productions isnt an ordinary arts series. Its a uniquely South Dakotan story, grounded in generosity and driven by a belief that the arts belong to everyone not just the coasts. All performances take place at South Dakota State Universitys Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center in Brookings.
Season ticket packages go on sale July 22, with an in-person event at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Online subscriptions open July 23 at 10 a.m. Single tickets become available Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. at www.woodbineproductions.com.
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