Valpo Theatre Department Announces 2019–2020 Season

Valparaiso University’s theatre department will present seven different productions during the 2019–2020 season. These performances will include classics, musicals and plays. Capable students across campus will practice and work with the department’s faculty on various elements of each production including acting, dance, design, directing, production, technology and writing.

Performances include:

  • “Barefoot in the Park,” Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 28–29 and Oct. 5–6 at 2 p.m., University Theatre, Center for the Arts. R. Andrew White, MFA, professor of theatre, directs this play centered around a pair of newlyweds in which everything than can go wrong does.
  • “Sondheim on Sondheim,” Nov. 8 and 15 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m., University Theatre, Center for the Arts. Lee F. Orchard, Ph.D., directs an intimate portrait of the famed songwriter in his own words and his own music.
  • “The Directing Showcase,” Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Senior theatre majors direct one-act plays as part of their capstone coursework for the department.
  • “Dance Ensemble,” Jan. 30–31 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 1–2 at 2 p.m., University Theatre, Center for the Arts. Ann Kessler, MFA, professor of theatre, and Salena Elish, B.A., visiting theatre instructor, will bring the student and faculty choreographed dance to the Valparaiso community.
  • “Admissions,” Feb. 19–21 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 22–23 at 2 p.m., Studio Theatre, Center for the Arts. Lee F. Orchard, Ph.D., will direct a new play that explodes with the ideals and contradictions of liberal white America where personal ambition collides with progressive values, with convulsive results.
  • “Little Women,” April 24 and May 1 at 8 p.m. and April 25–26 and May 2–3 at 2 p.m., University Theatre, Center for the Arts. R. Andrew White, MFA, directs this adaption of the classic novel in which each girl will strive to find her true self, even as privation, illness and sibling rivalry cast their shadows.
  • “New Play Festival,” May 4, Studio Theatre, Center of the Arts. The fourth Valpo New Play Festival will feature staged readings of new work written by undergraduate playwrights.

Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior citizens and non-Valpo students; and free for students, faculty and staff.

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