Broadway Actress Q. Smith to Perform at Heritage Center with Area Students

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Department of Fine and Performing Arts will present A Broadway Cabaret with Special Guest Q. Smith at 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2025, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center.

During A Broadway Cabaret with Special Guest Q. Smith, UD music and theatre students will be joined by visiting high schoolers to perform a showcase of songs on Heritage Center's stage. Smith will headline the evening with several solo songs. Jill Klinebriel, UD choral accompanist, will accompany the singers. The cabaret will end with a special group song featuring Smith and all the participating students.

Before the cabaret, students will participate in a workshop that includes a master class with Smith. There will also be rehearsal and work sessions for the participants.

"I'm just tickled pink to be coming home to the Midwest," Smith said. "The Midwest is full of raw talent. The great thing about us Midwesterners is that we work hard for what we want. That's the kind of mentality it takes to survive this industry. I was and still am a dreamer and love nothing more than being that example for students. Dreams do come true! I want to remind them to chase their dreams down and not be afraid to be authentically themselves. My husband and I have a company called Your Stage, Your Moment where we remind students as well as professionals that they have a spotlight. We want them to step into it boldly and confidently. I'm really excited to visit Dubuque! I know it's going to be a good time."

Smith was last seen on Broadway in the seven-time Tony-nominated play The Hills of California, directed by Sam Mendes. She is perhaps best known for creating the role of Hannah and others in the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away and was also in the film version on Apple TV+. Smith has toured with the North American Broadway show A Night With Janis Joplin, playing the roles of Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone. She was the first African American to have a leading role in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins.

Other noted credits for Smith include Abyssinia: A Gospel Celebration with Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Center, Show Boat in concert at Carnegie Hall, guest soloist for Hillary Clinton's Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards at the Kennedy Center, and guest soloist at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremonies representing the state of Nebraska. Smith has shared the stage with Gladys Knight, Rita Coolidge, and more. She has traveled the world with various productions including Central America, Germany, and the entire United States.

Joe Klinebriel, MFA, professor of theatre, said he is thrilled to be back again this year with a phenomenal music theatre event planned for both UD and visiting high school students.

"Hosting a guest from the Broadway community with such professional caliber talent as Q. Smith is an incredible learning experience for all involved," Klinebriel said. "Getting the chance to spend the day working with, connecting to, and performing alongside such a talented and energized actress and teacher as Q is an invaluable opportunity!"

Tickets may be purchased now! Stop by the Farber Box Office, Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street; call 563.585.7469; or visit www.dbq.edu/heritagecenter to purchase tickets. The box office is open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 90 minutes prior to events.