A New Annual Performance Honors The Wharton Legacy
EAST LANSING, MI — In recognition of their 45th Anniversary season and in memory of Dr. Wharton—whose 100th birthday would have been this month—Wharton Center announced today that each season, one performance will be designated as the Clifton and Dolores Wharton Legacy Performance. This designation honors the Whartons’ vision for bringing world-class performing arts to the MSU campus and community by highlighting a performance or genre that they loved. The 2026-2027 Clifton and Dolores Wharton Legacy Performance is Dance Theatre of Harlem on Wednesday, February 17, 2027, at 7:30PM.
“Having graced Wharton Center’s stage during the inaugural season, Dance Theatre of Harlem was the perfect opportunity for us to begin the Clifton and Dolores Wharton Legacy Performance designation. Dolores studied dance with Martha Graham and theatre at the Neighborhood Playhouse Conservatory and remained a champion of dance her entire life,” said Eric Olmsheid, Executive Director.
To further recognize the newly selected performance, a community engagement event is being planned in alignment with Dance Theatre of Harlem’s stop at Wharton Center. A special discount ticket price will be available for a limited time, beginning September 15, 2026. Details will be available on Wharton Center’s social media pages.
When the Whartons arrived in East Lansing, they brought with them a love and deep appreciation of the arts. One of their most successful endeavors while serving as President and First Lady of Michigan State University was to fundraise for the creation of a performing arts center. That center would be named in their honor, Clifton and Dolores Wharton Center for Performing Arts, by the Board of Trustees.
“Dolores and I were deeply touched by the board’s action,” Dr. Wharton wrote in his book, Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer. “We loved Michigan State and the performing arts. Now, the two strands of our affection were permanently intertwined, and the university would have a cultural showcase that could stand proudly with its other centers of excellence.”
Tickets are available for Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Wharton Center Ticket Office, online at whartoncenter.com, or by calling 517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON. SeatGeek is the only official partner of the Wharton Center Ticket Office.
