Fall 2024

Senior Performance Series: How I Learned What I Learned

Join us in the Olmsted room this homecoming weekend to celebrate Michael Robertson II’s SIP, a staging of August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned.

Friday, October 18, 7:30 pm.
Sunday, October 20, 3:00 pm.
Olmsted Room, Mandelle Administration Building

August Wilson’s
HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED
Co-Conceived by Todd Kreidler
Directed by Dr. Quincy Thomas
Starring Michael Robertson II ’25
October 18 & 20, 2024

Through stories about his first jobs, first loves and experiences with racism, August Wilson recounts his life from his roots as a Black artist in the Hill District in Pittsburgh to the completion of The American Century Cycle, providing an inside look into one of the most celebrated voices of the 20th century.

“How I Learned What I Learned” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel J. French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

This performance is free to all, but seating is limited, so please be sure to arrive early to secure a spot.

Fall 2024

The Importance of Being Earnest

Written by Oscar Wilde
Directed by Dr. Quincy Thomas

The Importance of Being Earnest first premiered at London’s St. James Theatre on February 14, 1895 and on Broadway at the Empire Theatre on April 22, 1895.

Thurs.-Sat., November 7-9 , 7:30pm
Sunday, November 10, 2pm.
Olmsted Room, Mandelle Administration Building

The Importance of Being Earnest is a masterpiece of high comedy, sparkling with provocative observations. Oscar Wilde called his play “A trivial comedy for serious people.” He commented that the first act is “ingenious,” the second act “beautiful” and the third “abominably clever.” This classic is a delight from the first cucumber sandwich on as Jack’s double life catches up with him. The problems are resolved in an extremely charming and quite unexpected way as Jack and Algernon discover the importance of being earnest while answering to the name of Ernest.

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.

Winter 2025

Sunset Baby

Written by Dominique Morisseau
Presented in Collaboration with Face Off Theatre Company

January 16-19, 2025
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.

East New York, Brooklyn. Kenyatta Shakur is alone. His wife has died, and this former Black Revolutionary and political prisoner is desperate to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Nina. If Kenyatta truly wants to reconcile his past, he must first conquer his most challenging revolution of all – fatherhood. 

​This is a story about love, political action, and one woman’s journey from a brutal existence to her own liberation.

To learn more about the show, visit Face Off Theatre Company’s website here.

Senior Performance Series: The String’s The Thing

Join us in the Dungeon Theatre to celebrate May Moe Tun’s directing SIP, a staging Veronica Tjioe’s The String’s The Thing.

The String’s The Thing
Written by Veronica Tjioe
Directed by May Moe Tun ’25
March 14 & 15, 2024
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.

A play for anyone who has ever felt lost and a profound sense of “in-betweeness” and would please like to know which way is out, thankyouverymuch. It is also good for lovers of cheap wine, close friends, and the merits of a nice ball of string.

Winter 2025

Eurydice

Written by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Ren Pruis

Eurydice had its world premiere at Madison Repertory Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin in 2003, after which is was performed at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2004, and Yale Repertory Theatre in 2006, directed by Les Waters. It opened Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater in 2007.

Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 27-Mar. 1, 7:30pm
Sun., March 2, 2pm.
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.

Eurydice reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice not through Orpheus’s infamous pilgrimage to retrieve his bride, but through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, plot twists, and a script written to be a playground for designers, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. 

EURYDICE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel J. French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Spring 2025

Little Shop of Horrors

Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Directed by King Ryan

Little Shop of Horrors was originally produced by the WPA Theatre on May 6, 1982, with Kyle Renick as Producing Director. Originally produced Off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre in July 1982, and adapted into a film of the same name by Frank Oz in 1986.

Thurs.-Sat., May 15-17, 7:30pm
Sun., May 18, 2pm.
Nelda K. Balch Playhouse, 129 Thompson St.

In Little Shop of Horrors, the meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing, carnivorous herbage promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com