By Markita C. Rowe, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences public communications specialist
Grammy-nominated R&B songstress and Broadway actor Deborah Cox will join North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s third Town & Gown celebration Friday, April 25, bringing together students, faculty and community guests for an unforgettable evening. Tickets for this event are now available for purchase.
To kick off the celebration, students will have the chance to spend an evening with Cox as she shares insights into her career and the world of Broadway. Additionally, N.C. A&T theatre students will benefit from a masterclass led by Cox, where she will offer valuable tips to help elevate their skills in acting, singing, and the visual and performing arts.
A&T’s Town & Gown celebration provides a space for distinguished guests, business leaders, elected officials and community members to celebrate the arts, and the relationship between the university and the surrounding Piedmont Triad community, which A&T has served for more than 130 years. The presenting sponsors of this year’s event are Google and Southern Company.
Cox’s impact spans multiple areas of the entertainment industry, from chart-topping hits to critically acclaimed stage performances. With six top 20 Billboard R&B singles and 13 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart, she has carved out a legacy as a powerhouse vocalist. Her sophomore album produced two No. 1 R&B songs, including “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” which held the top spot for 14 weeks — the longest in history at the time — and “We Can’t Be Friends.”
Beyond her success in music, Cox has dedicated herself to social justice initiatives and received the Black Music Honors’ Entertainer Icon Award in 2020, recognizing her 25-year career. Her acting résumé includes standout performances in Netflix’s “First Wives Club” and HBO Max’s Emmy-nominated “Station Eleven.” On Broadway, she recently wrapped her tenure starring as Glinda and co-producing the revival of “The Wiz.”
Cox will also be the guest of honor at a celebratory dinner Friday, April 25, concluding with a performance of “The Wiz” by A&T theatre students, bringing Broadway’s magic to the university stage.
A&T’s production of “The Wiz,” directed by Miller Lucky Jr., executive director of A&T’s Paul Robeson Theatre, brings a fresh, campus-inspired twist to the beloved musical. Based on the book by William F. Brown, with music and lyrics by Charlie Small, and inspired by “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, this adaptation seamlessly incorporates iconic A&T landmarks into the story. With musical direction by Jonovan Cooper, DMA, and choreography by Chanda Branch, the production features vibrant music, energetic dance sequences, and a powerful message that encourages audiences to follow their dreams and embrace their ambitions.
The Wiz runs Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27. All performances will be at Harrison Auditorium at A&T, where the venue's clear bag policy will be strictly enforced.
• Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 25, 7:30 p.m., Town & Gown Performance (dinner and show)
• Saturday, April 26, 3 and 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m.
For Gala tickets, call 336-334-7749 or click here.
About North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is the nation’s largest historically Black university, as well one of the top 25 “Most Innovative” universities in America (U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2024). North Carolina A&T is a land-grant, doctoral research university and a constituent member of the University of North Carolina System. A&T is widely recognized for its leadership in producing graduates in engineering, agriculture and other STEM fields. The university was established in 1891 and is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Tuesday, April 8th 2025 at 7:28PM
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