Mainstage productions are directed by faculty, typically designed by professionals, and always brought to life by students. There are four mainstage productions each year: the first three vary widely between scripted pieces and devised works; the fourth production is typically dance.
Fall 2024
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Fully Produced Mainstage
Pity
by Rory Mullarkey
directed by Karie Miller
There’s ice cream. Sunshine. Shops. Some dogs. A wedding. Bombs. Candles. Blood. Lightning. Sandwiches. Snipers. Looting. Gunshots. Babies. Actors. Azaleas. Famine. Fountains. Statues. Atrocities. And tanks. (Probably.) Rory Mullarkey’s new play asks whether things really are getting worse. And if we care.
- Saturday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m. (relaxed performance*)
- Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 23, 2 p.m.
*A relaxed performance will typically keep house lights on at a dim level, loud noises and strobe effects might be minimized, fidget toys are provided, and it is understood that audience members are welcome to get up, move around, etc.
Roberts Theatre
Reserved Seating: This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available in advance and at the door. To reserve your ticket in advance, visit the Bucksbaum Box Office or call 641-269-4444 from noon–5 p.m. on the following dates:
- Thursday, Nov. 14
- Friday, Nov. 15
- Thursday, Nov. 21
- Friday, Nov. 22
Content Note: This play satirizes destruction of various kinds. The action of the play includes many things and people being exploded or shot, and various “atrocities.†There will be loud noises, flashing lights, profanity, theatrical haze, and stylized portrayals of injuries, sex, death, murder, invasion, cannibalism, drone strikes, indiscriminate bombing, shellfire, plague, loneliness, and natural disasters. (ONSITE RESOURCES: If you become agitated or overwhelmed, you are welcome to leave the theater and re-enter at your discretion. There is a quiet space located off of this lobby with water and other grounding resources. House Management will not bother you unless you request assistance. Masks, ear plugs, fidget toys, regular and large print copies of the script are available in the lobby.)
Accessibility: 51²è¹İapp College welcomes the participation of people with disabilities. Access needs should be coordinated through Joyce Bergan at 641-269-4378. Advance notice (at least 5 days) is appreciated.
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Staged Reading
The Burn
by Philip Dawkins
directed by Jen Shook
The Crucible, but high school social media. Mercedes is an outsider. Tara makes sure she knows it. When a high school production of The Crucible forces them together, tensions escalate into acts of bullying — both online and IRL.
Format:Â Auditioned with several rehearsals (info forthcoming)
Performs:Â Friday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. in Humanities and Social Studies Center, Room A2231 - Auditorium
Commitment:Â 7 days / 22 hours
Credits: 0.5Reserved Seating: Tickets are available in advance and at the door. To reserve your ticket in advance, visit the Bucksbaum Box Office or call 641-269-4444 from noon–5 p.m. on the following dates:
- Thursday, Nov. 7
- Friday, Nov. 8
Content Notice:Â (this is a work in progress) Depiction of bullying and abusive language including racist, sexist, ableist, anti-fat, and homophobic slurs. Descriptions of violence.
The Burn is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the collection.
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Staged Reading
The Thanksgiving Play
by Larissa FastHorse
directed by Jen Shook
Well-meaning white people try to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). Four theatre people walk into an elementary school. The work at hand: a Thanksgiving pageant that won’t ruffle any feathers. What could possibly go wrong? … Everything. Heaping servings of hypocrisies on a big, family-style platter in a not-altogether-politically-correct comedy by Sicangu Lakota playwright Larissa FastHorse.
Format:Â One rehearsal, one public reading
Performs:Â Wednesday, Oct. 16, 4:30 p.m. in HSSC, Room A2231 - Auditorium
Commitment:Â 2 days / 4 hours
Credits:Â none. Staff/faculty also welcomeTicketing: No tickets required.
Content Notice:Â Discussion of genocide, exaggerated stage violence, comedic yet very real depictions of racism.
The Thanksgiving Play is presented by arrangement with on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
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Staged Reading of a Musical
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Book by Joe Tracz
Music and Lyrics by Rob Rokicki
Adapted from the book by Rick Riordandirected by Jen Shook
co-directed and music directed by Andra Velis SimonThe Greek gods are real, and their kids have issues.ÌıÌıWhen teenager Percy Jackson discovers he’s a demigod, he and his friends embark on an epic journey to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt and prevent a war among the gods.
Format:Â Auditioned with several rehearsals
Performs:Â Saturday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday Oct. 6, 2 p.m., Sebring-Lewis Hall, Bucksbaum Arts Center
Commitment:Â 4 weeks / 45 hours
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Reserved Seating: Tickets are available in advance and at the door (if available). To reserve your ticket in advance, visit the Bucksbaum Box Office or call 641-269-4444 from noon–5 p.m. on the following dates:- Thursday, Oct. 4
- Friday, Oct. 5
Content Notice:Â Death, staged violence, absent parents, discussion of war.
The Lightning Thief is presented by arrangement with .
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Staged Reading
The Outsider
by Paul Slade Smith
directed by Jen Shook
“Number-cruncher Ned Newly is a complete unknown with a paralyzing fear of public speaking and no political instincts — he certainly doesn’t want to be Governor. But when his boss gets booted after a scandal, Ned is catapulted into the public eye. With the threat of a special election just days away, his oddball team of consultants scrambles to give him a political makeover. The Outsider is a hilarious, non-partisan send-up of modern American politics and an inspirational tribute to democracy.â€Â
– Dramatists Play ServiceFormat: Fun run — Show up and read!Â
Performs:Â Sunday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m. (readers show up at 6:30 p.m.) in Roberts Theatre
Commitment:Ìı1 day / 3 hours
Credits:Â none. Staff/faculty also welcome!
Ticketing: No tickets requiredContent Notice:Â Suggested age 12+ due to mildly vulgar language.
The Outsider is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the collection.