Past Productions

Get Tickets Director: Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Designer: Dathan Powell (Callbacks for Actors on January 25th) Performances: April 1, 2, 3 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & April 7, 8, 9 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2022 The curtain time for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows is 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday performance starting at 2 p.m.  CAST:  3 women, 1 man. THE STORY: In the final scene of Ibsen’s 1879 groundbreaking masterwork, Nora Helmer makes the…

Director: Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Designer: Dathan Powell Auditions and Crew Interviews: August 29th and 30th, 2021 (Callbacks for Actors on August 31st) Performances: October 22, 23, 24 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & October 28, 29, 30 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2021 The curtain time for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows is 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday performance starting at 2 p.m. THE STORY: “A poignant and funny play about the ways, both sudden and slow, that…

Director: Eric Thibodeaux-ThompsonScenic Designer: Dathan PowellPerformances: October 25, 26, 27 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & October 31, November 1, 2 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2019 Winner of best play at the 2009 Tony Awards. The Story: (from Dramatist’s Publishing Company) A playground altercation between eleven-year-old boys brings together two sets of Brooklyn parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed, but as the meeting progresses, and…

Spring 2019 Photo Gallery Director: Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Designer: Bobbie Bonebrake Performances:  April 12, 13, 14 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & April 18, 19, 20 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2019 Synopsis from Samuel French: “An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet cafe. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man–with a lot of loose ends. So begins Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative new comedy by MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and…

Fall 2018 Photo Gallery Director: Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Designer: Dathan Powell Performances: October 19, 20, 21 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & October 25, 26, 27 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2018 Synopsis from Dramatists Play Service: “When Henrietta Leavitt begins work at the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900s, she isn’t allowed to touch a telescope or express an original idea. Instead, she joins a group of women “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned astronomer who…

Spring 2018 SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR by Luigi Pirandello  (In a New Adaptation by Robert Brustein) Photo Gallery Director: Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Designer: Dathan Powell Performances:  April 13, 14, 15 (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & April 19, 20, 21 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2018 Originally written in 1921, “6 Characters…” is an absurdist metatheatrical play…our production will be the 1998 Robert Brustein adaptation, which has been described by the…

Fall 2017  Photo Gallery MACHINAL  by Sophie Treadwell Director: Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Designer: Dathan Powell Performances:  October 27th, 28th, 29th (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & November 2nd, 3rd, 4th (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2017 Sophie Treadwell’s 1928 expressionist play was inspired by the sensational 1927 New York murder trial of Ruth Snyder. The story, told in nine episodes, focuses on the Young Woman as she navigates the oppressive, mechanized…

Spring 2017 Photo Gallery On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Amost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend–almost–in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. “…a whimsical approach to the joys…

Fall 2016 Photo Gallery (f)=UIS Faculty; (s)=UIS Staff; *=UIS Student; (g)=Guest Artist; (c)=Community Member CREW Director: Bill Kincaid (g) Scenic Designer/Technical Director: Dathan Powell (f) Fight Choreographer: D.C. Wright (g) Costume Designer: Katie Eickhoff (g) Costume Assistant: Threas Divyapeppinraj * Lighting Designer: David Hecht * Stage Manager: Melissa Betty (c) Assistant Stage Manager/Wardrobe Crew Lead: …

Spring 2016 Production DISTRACTED  by Lisa Loomer Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson Scenic Design by Dathan Powell Performances:  April 22nd, 23rd, 24th (Fri., Sat., Sun.) & April 28th, 29th, 30th (Thurs., Fri., Sat.), 2016 The curtain time for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night shows is 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday performance starting at 2 p.m. 9-year-old Jesse can’t focus at school, can’t sit still, can’t follow directions. Is Jesse simply a …

by Oscar Wilde Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson Oct 30-Nov 1 and Nov 5-7, 2015Photo Gallery Play Description Algernon Moncrieff (Algy) and Jack Worthing are young Englishmen who are both looking for a little excitement in their aristocratic lives. To this end, they have each invented alter egos, in order to call themselves away from high society doldrums.  Enter Algy’s aunt, Lady Bracknell, and her daughter, Gwendolyn Fairfax—with whom Jack falls in love. As Jack…

By Tennessee Williams Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson April 2015Photo Gallery Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play is an American classic that also won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for best play in 1948, with numerous revivals over the years. Very few plays continue to have such power and impact as Williams’ 1948 drama continues to do so 66 years after the original production, but A Streetcar Named Desire is one such play. “The play reveals…

by Neal Simon Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson November 2014Photo Gallery Play Description 3 M, 4 W Neil Simon’s first play in the “Eugene” trilogy won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play in 1983, and was a nominee for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play. The original Broadway production earned Tony awards and nominations for actors and direction. “Meet Eugene Jerome and his family, fighting the hard times and sometimes each other…

by Paula Vogel Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson April , 2014Photo Gallery Play Description 4 W, 3 M Paula Vogel’s 1998 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, takes an un-flinching look at “the gifts we receive from people who hurt us,” according to Vogel. The play’s protagonist, Li’l Bit, “received the gift of how to survive,” from a surprising source. Through a non-linear series of emotional, and often times funny flashbacks and recollections, Li’l Bit takes…

by Bruce Norris Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson November 8-10 and 14-16, 2013Photo Gallery Play Description 3 W, 4 M Winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize and the 2012 Tony Award, Bruce Norris’ CLYBOURNE PARK is a play which takes on the provocative issues of race, political correctness, and the changing social landscape in America, while still managing to make us laugh along the way. Act One takes place in 1959, in Chicago’s Clybourne Park neighborhood, as the community…

by Clifford Odets Directed by EricThibodeaux-Thompson April 5-7 & 11-13, 2013Photo Gallery Play Description 7 M, 2 W Roles (Possible Flexibility Here) Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct Clifford Odets’ 1933 play, AWAKE AND SING. AWAKE AND SING synopsis

by Moliere Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson October 26, 27, 28, and November 1, 2, 3, 20127:30PM, Sunday at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Play Description 6 M, 5 W Roles (Possible Flexibility Here) Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct a contemporary translation (by Ranjit Bolt) of Moliere’s 17th century French comedy, TARTUFFE. TARTUFFE synopsis

by Sam Shepard Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson February 24-26, and March 1-3, 20127:30PM, Sunday at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Play Description Comedy Full Length Play 3 men, 1 woman, 4 total INTERIOR TRUE WEST explores the challenging and volatile relationship between brothers Austin and Lee. Austin is an aspiring screenwriter, Lee an unsavory drifter. Austin’s attempt at creating his own screenplay to…

by Paul Rudnick Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson October 28-30, and November 3-5, 20117:30PM, Sunday at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Play Description Comedy Full Length Play 3 men, 3 women: 6 total INTERIOR A young and successful television actor relocates to New York, where he rents a marvelous, gothic apartment. With his television career in limbo, the actor is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage,…

by Rebecca Gilman Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson April 8-10, and April 14-16, 2011 7:30PM, Sunday at 2PM The Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Photo Gallery Play Description Cast: 5 men, 2 women “Set on a college campus in Vermont, SPINNING INTO BUTTER is a new play by a major young American playwright that explores the dangers of both racism and political correctness in America today in a manner that is at once profound, disturbing,…

by Wendy Wasserstein Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson October 22-24, and 28-30, 2010 7:30PM, Sunday at 2PM The Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Photo Gallery Play Description Cast: 3 men, 5 women Winner of both the 1989 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, The Heidi Chronicles humorously and poignantly traces Heidi Holland

by Milan Stitt (Dramatists Play Service) Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson April 23-25, and April 29-May 1, 20107:30PM, except Sunday, April 25 at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Play Description Cast: 4 men, 5 women In 1911 in a remote northern Michigan parish, a young nun, Sister Rita, mysteriously dies.  Her superior, Father Rivard, is charged with the crime.  As the trial unfolds four years later, the story…

from Various Plays December 8 and 9, 20097:30PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Play Description Come join us for a night of student-directed scenes (final projects from THE 476 Directing for the Theatre). A variety of 20th century or newer scenes will be enjoyed by all.

by Neil LaBute Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson November 13-15, and 19-20, 20097:30PM, except Sunday, November 15 at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Play Description Cast: 2 men, 2 women How far would you go for love? For art? What concessions would you make? What price would you be willing to pay? Such are the painful questions explored by Neil LaBute in The Shape of Things. A modern day retelling of the fall of man.…

by William Shakespeare Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson April 17-19, 23-25, 2009 8 p.m., except Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.Photo Gallery The Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Auditions Sunday, January 25, 7-10 p.m.Monday, January 26, 7-10 p.m.Callbacks Tuesday, January 27, 7-10 p.m.The Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Play Description Set in France, where Duke Senior is usurped and exiled by his brother,…

by Caryl Churchill Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson November 7-9, 13-15, 20088PM, except Sunday, November 9 at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Auditions Sunday, September 14, 7PM-10PM Monday, September 15, 7PM-10PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Callbacks Tuesday, September 16, 7PM-10PM The Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Play Description Cast: 4…

by Tennessee Williams Directed by Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson April 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12 20088PM, except Sunday, April 6 at 2PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS CampusPhoto Gallery Auditions Sunday, February 10, 7PM-10PMMonday, February 11, 7PM-10PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Callbacks Tuesday, February 12, 7PM-10PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Play Description…

from Various Plays Directed by UIS Students in COM 476 Directing for the Theatre December 5 & 6 2007, 8PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Auditions Auditions will be sometime during the week of November 5-9, 2007 in a location TBA, with rehearsals occurring in locations TBA. The final rehearsals and performances will be in the studio theatre. Play Description Come join us for a night of student-directed scenes (final projects from COM…

by William Inge Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson October 26, 27, 28, and November 1, 2, 3, 20078PM, except Sunday October 28 at 2PMPhoto Gallery Auditions Sunday, September 9 & Monday, September 10, 7PM-10PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Callbacks Tuesday, September 11, 7PM-10PMThe Studio Theatre, Public Affairs Center (PAC) Level 1, UIS Campus Play Description Drama, Full Length(Info from Dramatists Play Service, Inc.)Cast…

by Lee Blessing Photo Gallery Play Description (The following description is as appears on the back cover of the Dramatists Play Service, Inc. edition of the play) The two rooms of the title are a windowless cubicle in Beirut where an American hostage is being held by Arab terrorists and a room in his home in the United States which his wife has stripped of furniture so that, at least symbolically, she can share his ordeal. In fact the same room serves for both and is also the…

by Douglas Carter Beane 2006-2007 Season – Spring ProductionMarch 2, 3, 4, andMarch 8, 9, 10Photo Gallery Play Description The spring production, As Bees In Honey Drown by Douglas Carter Beane, will be directed by UIS Director of Theatre, Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson. A dark comic mystery set in Manhattan, As Bees In Honey Drown follows the trail of socialite Alexa Vere de Vere, a black-clad woman of mystery who’s made the world of celebrity her home, and Evan Wyler, the young New York…

by Jane Martin 2006-2007 Season – Fall ProductionNovember 3, 4, 5, andNovember 9, 10, 11Photo Gallery Play Description The fall production, Anton in Show Business, by Jane Martin, will be directed by newly-hired Assistant Professor of Theatre, Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson. Described as a “savvy, savage backstage comedy,” the play was a hit at the 24th Humana Festival of New American Plays in 2000, and the winner of the 2001 American Theatre Critics/Steinberg New Play Award. Anton… is a…

by Henrik Ibsen 2005-2006 Season – Spring ProductionApril 13, 14, 15, andApril 21, 22, 23Photo Gallery Play Description One of Ibsen’s finest plays, HEDDA GABLER takes us to a 19th century Norwegian town, where one’s ideas are championed and not only define the social order of the day, but for some, cause driving ambitions which are not always kept under control. A feminist ahead of his time, Ibsen is duly called the “father of modern drama.” Cast and Crew Many thanks to all…

by Sophocles 2005-2006 Season – Fall ProductionNovember 4, 5, 6 andNovember 11, 12, 13Photo Gallery Play Description Long considered one of the theatre’s great plays, this timeless story of murder, incest and a person’s preoccupation with one’s place in the universe begins UIS Theatre’s 2005-2006 World Tour of Drama season. Written over two thousand years ago in ancient Greece, Sophocles’ masterpiece continues to pack a punch of relevancy for our contemporary world and the world of…

by Lanford Wilson 2004-2005 Season – Spring ProductionApril 1, 2, 3 andApril 8, 9, 10Photo Gallery Play Description As worded in the 2003-2004 Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Catalogue of Plays: Comedy/Drama. Presented by New York’s famed Circle Repertory Company, this brilliant, enthralling play has been hailed as a major work by one of our theatre’s most important and celebrated writers. Alternately funny and moving, it deals with a group of former student activists and the changes…

by Theresa Rebeck 2004-2005 Season – Fall ProductionNovember 5, 6, 7 andNovember 12, 13, 14Photo Gallery Play Description As worded in of the 2003 Samuel French, Inc. Basic Catalogue of Plays and Musicals: This humor-filled tale of political corruption, ingratitude and revenge concerns an idealistic young Washington attorney who persuades her former law professor, a man of lofty rhetoric, to run for Congress. Ideals shrivel in the Washington air as the professor is swept into an…

by Noel Coward 2003-2004 Season – Spring ProductionApril 9, 10 andApril 15 – 18, 2004Photo Gallery Read our Press Coverage: Preview Articles: Hayfever (pdf) Reviews: General Review (pdf)A Collection of Abbreviated Reviews (pdf) Play Description First produced in 1925, Hay Fever is technically a masterpiece. A comedy of bad manners which starts with the arrival of four guests, Hay Fever largely concerns the way that they are alternately ignored, embraced, embarrassed,…

by David Auburn Download 2003-2004 Season – Fall ProductionNovember 14 – 16 andNovember 21 – 23, 2003Photo Gallery Read our Press Coverage: /sites/default/files/inline-images/ProofReview.pdfDownload Proof Preview Article (pdf)Proof Review Article (pdf) Play Description On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with…

by Sam Shepard 2002-2003 Season – Spring ProductionFebruary 21, 22, 23 andMarch 1,2, 2003Photo Gallery Read our Press Coverage: Preview Articles: Lie of the Mind (pdf) – from the State Journal-RegisterLie of the Mind (pdf) – from the Illinois Times Play Description (from the Dramatists Play Service, Inc. catalogue)Winner of the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award. The Story Involves two desparate families…

by Terrence McNally 2002-2003 Season – Fall ProductionOctober 19, 20 andOctober 24, 25, 26, 2002Photo Gallery Read our Press Coverage: General Review (pdf)A Collection of Abbreviated Reviews (pdf) Play Description (from the Dramatists Play Service, Inc. catalogue)An hilarious send-up of show business and its often bizarre practitioners, which uses the occasion of a disastrous opening night party to pile one wildly funny comic sequence upon another. Produced with great success by…