ISU Theatre Season

ISU Theatre Season

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Dive deeper into this season's productions with the full list of events and the playgoer's guide!

Fairy Tales for the Anthropocene

By Jaisey Bates, Diana Burbano, Ty Defoe, Darcy Parker Bruce, Tiffany Antone, and Amanda Petefish-Schrag

October 11-13, 2024 in the M-Shop, ISU Memorial Union

General admission $20; youth and ISU students Free

Embark on a captivating journey that blends enchantment and provocation as we delve into the complex tapestry of the Anthropocene epoch—a crossroads marked by the interplay of survival, extinction, humanity, nature, and the imagination. Fairytales for the Anthropocene features puppetry, live actors, and new short plays by U.S. playwrights. Contains mature content.

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Die Fledermaus

Produced by ISU Theatre, ISU Opera Studio and ISU Symphony Orchestra

Composed by Johann Strauss II 
English Translation by Ruth Martin and Thomas Martin 
Presented under license by G. Schirmer, Inc., copyright owners 
Performed in English

November 7-10, 2024. Fisher Theater 

General admission. Adults $25; youth and ISU Students Free 

On New Year’s Eve, Falke sets up an elaborate scheme to get revenge on his friend Eisenstein. The result is a farcical story of love and forgiveness propelled by mistaken identities, flirtation, and a practical joke with unforeseen consequences. A lavish masked ball brings everything to a most delicious boil. 

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Ten-Minute Play Festival

Produced by Theatre 4550: Directing for the Stage

December 7, 2024 in Fisher Theater

General admission; Free for all

Every year the ISU Theatre Directing students get to choose, cast, and bring to life an exciting array of ten-minute plays by playwrights both old and new.

Advisory: Some plays contain adult language and content.

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Barjché 25

Co-produced by Orchesis I and ISU Theatre

February 7 and 8, 2025 in Fisher Theater, 7:30 pm

General admission. Adults $12; Students $10. Tickets available through TicketMaster or by visiting the Iowa State Center ticket office, located on the ground floor of Stephens Auditorium. 

Orchesis I Dance Company presents Barjché 2025 Entanglement, a labyrinth of shared space. Experience the expressive beauty of Iowa State's annual modern dance performance with dances by students, guests and faculty as they explore stories past and present.

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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Music and Lyrics by William Finn 
Book by Rachel Sheinkin 
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman 
Additional Material by Jay Reiss 

March 6-9, 2025 in Fisher Theater 

General admission. Adults $25; youth and ISU Students Free 

This heartfelt Tony-Award winning musical follows a group of wonderfully unique and impassioned adolescents as they compete for the bee championship. Featuring a fun and feisty score, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a joyful night of comedy and quirk that celebrates the pursuit of victory and the gift of being true to oneself. 

Advisory: Adult content

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Fixing Troilus & Cressida

By Kirk Lynn 
Based on Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare 

April 17-19, 2025 in Fisher Theater 

General admission. Adults $20; youth and ISU Students Free 

Fixing Troilus & Cressida is an updated version of Shakespeare’s play written in contemporary English – including the curse words. Troilus and Cressida is the love story hidden in the center of history’s greatest war. As the Greeks enter their seventh year of hammering against the Trojan’s wall, one young warrior, Troilus, is ready to risk it all and pledge his loyalty to a new love Cressida. The relationship is nurtured by the matchmaker, Pandarini, who advises, scolds, and pushes the lovers to trust one another. Around them war and chaos burn, Hector rages, Ulysses plots, Achilles stalls, Agamemnon tries to keep it all together, and Cassandra foresees death. 

Advisory: Contains adult language and content.

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Student Fringe Festival

May 2-3, 2025  

General admission. Free for all 

Students from throughout Iowa State University flex their theatre muscles in a diverse celebration of innovation and creativity. 

Advisory: Some performances may contain adult language and content.

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