Jodee Nimerichter

Director, American Dance Festival

Picks: “Red.” (Sept. 19-Oct. 7 at PlayMakers Repertory Company, UNC; playmakersrep.org).

Because: “ In the play, American painter Mark Rothko takes us on a journey through his personal struggles of how to validate his work in both art and commerce worlds.”

Joseph Haj

Producing artistic director, PlayMakers Repertory Company

Picks: “Elsewhere, a CelloOpera” (Oct. 11, Carolina Performing Arts, Memorial Hall, UNC).

Because: “I’m looking forward to this premiere by cellist Maya Beiser. Robert Woodruff, one of the country’s most provocative directors, is directing, and the piece sounds thrilling and beautiful.”

Larry Wheeler

Director, N.C. Museum of Art

Picks: “Twenty Twenty”(Sept. 28-29 at Center Stage, N.C. State University; ncsu.edu/centerstage).

Because: “With fantastic new choreography, Nicholas Leichter and Bryan Strimpel’s ‘Twenty Twenty’ should be a provocative, urbane experience.”

William Henry Curry

Resident conductor, N.C. Symphony and music director of Durham Symphony

Picks: “Souvenir” (Oct. 3-14, Hot Summer Nights, Kennedy Theater, Progress Energy Center, Raleigh).

Because: “The play is about the legendary would-be singer, Florence Foster Jenkins. Audiences laughed at her complete inability to carry a tune, but she was indomitable to the end.”

Robert Weiss

Artistic Director, Carolina Ballet

Picks: “War Horse” (Oct. 2-7.at Durham Performing Arts Center; dpacnc.com).

Because: “I saw it in London and was truly blown away. I thought it was one of the most innovative and imaginative theatrical experiences I had ever seen.”

Correspondent Roy C. Dicks