The Southwestern College theatre department is planning a variety of performances for the spring semester. The lineup, including a classic drama, a heartfelt musical, and improv comedy, celebrates and examines creativity, its nature, and importance.

The first production will be a staged reading of Henrick Ibsen’s classic work “Hedda Gabler” directed by Roger Moon. Producing the play in this manner will provide Campus Players the opportunity delve into analysis and do multiple adaptations of the script. In addition, two different versions of the cast have been created, so each cast will perform two different characters during the four nights of performance. This will provide audiences the opportunity to see different interpretations of these complex characters. 

“Hedda Gabler” tells the story of a woman, thwarted by her culture, who can find no satisfaction in life, and endlessly manipulates those around her until her story comes to a tragic end. Being presented in a small space, “Hedda Gabler” will be an intimate and unique experience for audience members, as well as an enormous challenge for the actors and designers involved.

Performances will be Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 23-26, in the Helen Graham Little Theatre.  Performance times will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The second major production of the semester will be Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Children of Eden.” Freely based on the first nine chapters of the Bible, “Children of Eden” uses powerful music to explore our culture’s most central creation story and the age-old conflict between parent and child. Youth actors will join the Southwestern cast playing the roles of young Cain, Abel, and the Storytellers. “Children of Eden” will be a dinner theatre production, providing audience members with a full evening’s entertainment. Performances will be April 12-14 with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the show at 7:30.  On April 15, dinner will be served at 12:30 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. show.

Nine Lives Laughatorium and Good Times Improvisational Comedy Troupe, which performs throughout the semester for its college audience, will present a community show on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center. Families and community members are invited to come enjoy the free entertainment.

On Tuesday, April 24 and Wednesday, April 25, Acts of Consequence is scheduled at 6 p.m. in the Helen Graham Little Theatre. Major creative projects of seniors and student directors will be featured.  The musical theatre ensemble class will also be showcasing their work with a musical variety show.

For more information or to make reservations, call the Southwestern College performing arts office at (800) 846-1543 ext. 6272, (620) 221-7720, or visit www.sckans.edu/theatre.
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