With the Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts to open its long-awaited doors in May of 2026, the Western Illinois University Department of Theatre and Dance is thrilled about the opportunity to expand its craft, allowing more spectators to witness and relish their performances.
The department has announced its production schedule for fall 2025 through spring 2026. The first event will be Michael McNamara's 'New Friends: Showcase,' which will be presented from Thursday, October 2, to Saturday, October 4, at Simpkins Theatre, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Later that month, get ready for an adventure as students prepare to impress the audience with their musical rendition of Rick Riordan's 'The Lightning Thief.' With music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki and directed by Lysa Fox, this production will take you on an exhilarating journey as you meet Percy Jackson. Join him on his quest to understand and embrace his demigod abilities as the son of Poseidon, while he searches for Zeus' lightning bolt to prevent a catastrophic war. 'The Lightning Thief' will premiere Thursday, October 16 through the 18, at 7:30 p.m., as well as two matinee performances on October 18 and Sunday, October 19, at 2 p.m. at Hainline Theatre.
Speaking of literature masterpieces, concluding the October productions is a new adaptation of H. G. Wells' dystopian post-apocalyptic science fiction novel, 'The Time Machine.'
Imagine traveling to the year 802,701. What will exist then?
Will human civilization endure? Written by Steven Canny and John Nicholson and directed by Edward Lindem, 'The Time Machine' will take the stage just in time for the Halloween festivities. Performances will run from Thursday, October 23, to Saturday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Simpkins Theatre.
After the great success of the William Shakespeare medley this past February through March, the king of theater will once again grace us with his spirit. 'Let it be virtuous to be obstinate,' reads the opening line in November, as Shakespeare's 'Coriolanus' rocks the stage starting Thursday, November 6 through Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m., and a Saturday and Sunday, November 9, matinee performance at 2 p.m., at Horrabin Hall Theatre. Director Amie Root will capture class conflict, pride, war, power, and individuality versus society in these poetic yet tragic moments.
Switching gears, the final show for November explores the theme of love and its significance in our lives. 'Love Is Love Is Love Is,' directed by Donald Laney, will premiere on Thursday, November 13, and run through Saturday, November 15, at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a matinee performance on Saturday and Sunday, November 16, at 2 p.m., in Simpkins Theatre.
'Showcase 25,' featuring Fox, Laney, Lisa Wipperling, and Aaron Ames, will round out the fall 2025 semester from Thursday, December 4, through Saturday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. in Simpkins Theatre.
When the season changes and the spring of 2026 greets us, the department will present three exciting productions featuring successful Broadway plays from around the world. The first production, “The Lehman Trilogy,” directed by DC Wright, will premiere on Thursday, February 19, and run through Saturday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Simpkins Theatre. This play, based on the five-time Tony Award-winning three-act work by Stefano Massini and adapted by Ben Power, tells the story of three Italian immigrant brothers. It explores the challenges they face as they seek a better life in America, beginning with their arduous journey across the ocean and into an investment firm in 1850—their path to success culminated in a significant financial downturn for the firm in 2008.
Later that month, just in time for the season of love, 'She Loves Me' will be performed. Based on the book by Joe Masteroff, with music and lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and directed by Lindem, this whimsical Broadway tale follows shop employees Georg and Amalia, who, despite their apparent animosity towards each other in real life, eventually discover that they are each other's secret pen pals. Will their lonely hearts set aside their differences and embrace the power of love? 'She Loves Me' will be performed from Thursday, February 26, to Saturday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances on Saturday and Sunday, March 1, at 2 p.m., at Hainline Theatre.
Following spring break, production will resume with Sarah Ruhl's 'Eurydice,' directed by McNamara.
This play retells the myth of Orpheus from the perspective of Eurydice, his wife.
Eurydice faces a significant choice: should she return to the land of the living or stay in the underworld with her father? What will she decide? 'Eurydice' premieres on Thursday, April 2, and runs through Saturday, April 4, with performances at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance on Saturday and Sunday, April 5, at 2:00 p.m., will also be held at the Horrabin Hall Theatre.
As April 2026 comes to a close, the WIU Theatre and Dance Department will host its two annual finale productions featuring 'Dance Escape,' directed by Laney.
The performances will occur from Thursday, April 23, to Saturday, April 25, with a matinee at Hainline Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, April 26, at 2 p.m.
The final curtain call for spring 2026 will be held from Thursday, April 30, to Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. in Simpkins Theatre.
Tammy Killian, the Department Chair, invites current and soon-to-be graduates to 'BYOP (Bring Your Own Play).'
For more information on these performances, follow the WIU Department of Theatre and Dance on their social media platforms or visit www.wiu.edu/cofac/ theatre.
