Performances & Events
Enjoy the Creativity of DU Theatre Students
Each quarter, the DU Department of Theatre puts on two productions, built and acted by our theatre majors. The department collaborates with professional guest artists who bring their outside expertise and experience to help students grow creatively.
Shows are performed at DU's JMAC Studios, Byron Flexible Theatre and Byron Studio. Spring quarter is dedicated to the Short Play Festival, which features one-act plays directed by graduating theatre majors.
Current Season
November 9 – 12, 2023
A Bright New Boise
In the bleak, corporate break room of a craft store in Idaho, someone is summoning The Rapture. Will, who has fled his rural hometown after a scandal at his Evangelical church, comes to the Hobby Lobby, not only for employment, but also to rekindle a relationship with Alex, his brooding teenage daughter, whom he gave up for adoption several years ago. Alex works there along with Leroy, her adopted brother and protector, and Anna, a hapless young woman who reads bland fiction but hopes for dramatic endings. As their manager, foul-mouthed Pauline, tries ceaselessly to find order (and profit) in the chaos of small business, these lost souls of the Hobby Lobby confront an unyielding world through the beige-tinted impossibility of modern faith.
Written by Samuel D. Hunter
Directed by Greg Ungar
Tickets on sale September 1, 2023
- Byron Theatre
February 7 – 10, 2024
The Taming
In this all-female "power-play" inspired by Shakespeare's Shrew, contestant Katherine has political aspirations to match her beauty pageant ambitions. All she needs to revolutionize the American government is the help of one ultra-conservative senator's aide on the cusp of a career breakthrough, and one bleeding-heart liberal blogger who will do anything for her cause. Well, that and a semi-historically-accurate ether trip. Here's lookin' at you, America.
Written by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Kelly VanOsbree
Tickets on sale September 1, 2023
- Byron Theatre
February 29 – March 10, 2024
The Tempest
A mother and daughter struggle to survive on an island full of strange sounds and wondrous sights – until one day, their long-lost enemies sail into view on the horizon. What seems like a revenge play at first is, in fact, a play on atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation and, ultimately, a journey home.
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Rick Barbour
Tickets on sale September 1, 2023
- Byron Theatre
April 18 – 21, 2024
Short Play Festival
Seniors direct one act plays using the theatrical skills, techniques, perspectives, and styles learned from our program.
Tickets on sale January 1, 2024
- Byron Theatre
May 23 – 26, 2024
Constellations
This spellbinding, romantic journey begins with a simple encounter between a man and a woman. But what happens next defies the boundaries of the world we think we know—delving into the infinite possibilities of their relationship and raising questions about the difference between choice and destiny.
Written by Nick Payne
Directed by Allison Watrous
Tickets on sale September 1, 2023
- Byron Theatre
Audition and Apply
No audition is required to declare a theatre major, but students can apply for departmental scholarships by auditioning or submitting a portfolio for review.
