Xtravaganza Musical About Ballroom Pioneer Jose Xtravaganza Begins Casting at Baltimore Center Stage

Baltimore Center Stage is moving into casting and pre-production on Xtravaganza, an original musical chronicling the life and artistic legacy of Jose Xtravaganza, one of the last living pioneers of New York City's underground ballroom scene. With rehearsals scheduled to begin March 23, 2027, and previews opening May 7 at the Pearlstone Theatre, the production timeline gives performers and theatrical department heads a meaningful runway to get connected with this project now, while the hiring pipeline is wide open.

The creative team assembled here is one of the more exciting combinations working in regional theatre today. Director Stevie Walker-Webb also serves as Baltimore Center Stage's Artistic Director, a role he has brought considerable energy to since his appointment. Walker-Webb has built a reputation for politically engaged, viscerally theatrical work, and his background in devised and movement-driven storytelling makes him a natural fit for a show rooted in the physical vocabulary of Voguing. He has previously directed at major regional houses and off-Broadway, and his dual role here as both Artistic Director and director signals that this is a passion project with strong institutional backing from the top down. The book comes from R. Eric Thomas, best known as a senior staff writer and culture columnist whose sharp, comedic, and deeply humanist voice has translated increasingly well to the stage. Thomas has been developing his presence as a playwright, and Xtravaganza represents a significant step into the biographical musical format for him. Music and lyrics are by Khiyon Hursey, a composer and lyricist whose work has drawn attention in developmental circles for its genre fluency and emotional directness. The combination of Thomas's voice and Hursey's score, filtered through Walker-Webb's directorial sensibility, makes for a team worth watching closely.

The production is being mounted entirely within Baltimore Center Stage, one of the most respected LORT institutions on the East Coast. The Pearlstone Theatre, where Xtravaganza will play, holds a LORT B designation, which is meaningful context for Actors' Equity members assessing minimum rates and contract terms. LORT B is a mid-to-upper tier within the League of Resident Theatres scale, and productions at this level typically support solid company sizes, full design teams, and properly resourced technical departments. Baltimore Center Stage has a long track record of producing world premieres and developing new work with national ambitions, and given the subject matter and creative team here, Xtravaganza has the profile of a production that could attract significant attention beyond its initial run.

The show is rooted in a genuinely extraordinary story. Jose Xtravaganza is one of the founding figures of the House of Xtravaganza, a ballroom house that became central to the Vogue culture documented in Paris Is Burning and later amplified globally through FX's Pose. The musical is set against the backdrop of New York City's underground ballroom scene of the 1980s and 1990s, fusing traditional musical theatre structure with Voguing battles, dance, and original music. For performers with backgrounds in dance, Voguing, or ballroom culture specifically, this production represents a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of lived cultural knowledge and theatrical craft. Casting Director Destiny Lilly, CSA, is leading the casting process, and her involvement signals a professional, well-organized search. Performers and agents should be making contact with her office now.

The physical production will be headquartered entirely at Baltimore Center Stage, located at 700 North Calvert Street in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood. For designers and production staff, Baltimore is a practical base of operations with reasonable proximity to Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New York, making it accessible for out-of-town department heads while also drawing from a capable local crew community in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Pearlstone is an intimate but technically sophisticated house, and a show built around Voguing battles and large-scale choreographic sequences will likely require a thoughtful approach from the scenic, lighting, and sound design teams. The show's dance and movement demands also point to a substantial need for a choreographer (or Vogue choreographer specifically), a movement director, and a well-resourced stage management team. The full run extends from May 7 through June 13, 2027, with a possible extension through June 20, giving the production a healthy seven-plus-week performance window.

For anyone working in theatrical production on the East Coast, this is precisely the kind of project to track carefully right now. ProductionList.com carries the full listing for Xtravaganza, including production contacts, the Baltimore Center Stage address, and scheduling details as they are confirmed. Given the show's current casting and pre-production status, the hiring window for designers, production staff, and performers is open and active. Check the full listing, bookmark it for updates, and reach out through the appropriate channels sooner rather than later.

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