Current Productions

• Written by William Shakespeare

• Directed by Dr. Kyle A. Thomas

• Craig Hall Coger Theatre

  Romance and mischief are in the air when a group of soldiers return from battle to stay at Governor Leonato’s idyllic estate in Messina, Sicily.  Leonato’s virtuous daughter Hero catches the eye of Claudio, while Hero’s feisty cousin Beatrice engages in flirtatious banter with Claudio’s friend Benedick. Don Pedro, the soldiers’ commander, initially encourages Claudio’s courtship of Hero — until Don John, his jealous brother, hatches a plot to discredit Claudio by disgracing Hero.  As Beatrice and Benedick become the objects of harmless matchmaking, Hero becomes the target of ruinous slander. Believing her to be unfaithful, Claudio rejects her at the alter, and it seems that Don John’s treachery has triumphed. But clever plots can work both ways, and love prevails in Shakespeare’s witty comedy, Much Ado About Nothing!

  Sponsored by KSMU

• Written by Qui Nguyen
• Directed by Sarah Wiggin
• Balcony Theatre (second floor in Craig Hall)

Agnes Evans is a young woman whom is grappling with grief over the sudden loss of her parents and teenage sister, Tilly, who have died in a car accident. The sisters had little in common and had not been close. While Agnes’ life has been firmly rooted in reality and comfortable routine, Tilly’s was one of rich imagination and fantasy roleplaying games.  Agnes discovers a notebook containing a Dungeons and Dragons game module conceived by her sister, and with the help of Tilly’s friend and dungeon master, Chuck, embarks upon an adventurous quest to finally know her sister.  Her journey takes her to a mysterious world of monsters and heroines, where she discovers Tilly’s secret struggles, as well as her strength and courage. Both in the game and in real life, She Kills Monsters!

ADULT CONTENT AND THEMES

• Written by Naomi Iizuka
• Directed by Sarah Wiggin
• Balcony Theatre (second floor in Craig Hall)

Hoover High is a typical midwestern high school, where the beloved Mustangs football team are at the top of the social hierarchy.  Amber, whose parents are out of town, throws a Saturday night “cool kids only” party where alcohol flows freely. New girl Kylie brings her cousin Chloe, an outsider from another school. Chloe is targeted by mean-girl cheerleaders Brianna and Madison, who criticize what she’s wearing and call her a slut, which captures the attention of the jocks. The next day, shocking social media posts have everyone talking about what happened to Chloe after the party. Was she the victim of sexual assault, or is she to blame?

Based on actual events and conversations with college students, Good Kids explores the deep-seated double standards and social dynamics that result in bad things happening to good kids, and good kids doing bad things.

ADULT CONTENT AND THEMES

• Written by Kirsten Greenidge
• Direct by Jon Herbert
• Balcony Theatre (second floor in Craig Hall)

Freshman Resident Adviser Shelby Wilson is an African-American woman who naively believes in a color-blind society — until a racially-charged incident in the dorm threatens to spin out of control. Shelby is initially unprepared and unwilling to respond, but offensive images and comments are circulating online, spreading through the campus community and beyond, stirring emotions that may escalate to violence. As she attempts to defuse the situation, she finds a wide range of reactions and perspectives among her culturally diverse students, the new dean and others who are weighing in. Out of the confusion, one thing is clear: Denying a problem will not make it go away. Based on true events and personal stories shared with the playwright by real students, Baltimore tackles the complexities of racism and reconciliation with compassion and hope.

ADULT CONTENT AND THEMES

• Book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante
• Music by Marvin Hamlisch
• Lyrics by Edward Kleban
• Conceived by Michael Bennett
• Directed by Sarah Wilcoxon
• Craig Hall Coger Theatre

On the bare stage of a Broadway theatre, 24 hopeful dancers audition for eight positions in the chorus line of a new musical. After the first round of cuts, 17 remain. Zach, the show’s choreographer/director, asks that they introduce themselves and speak about why they became dancers. As the individual dancers share their backgrounds, dreams and insecurities, their unique personalities emerge. Based on the experiences of real Broadway dancers, stories range from the humorous to the heartbreaking to the triumphant, reflected in songs including “At the Ballet,” “Dance: 10; Looks: 3,” “What I Did for Love” and “One.”

Winner the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nine Tony Awards,

A Chorus Line remains a “singular sensation” that still resonates with audiences today!

Sponsored by KSMU

ADULT CONTENT AND THEMES

• Coordinated by Azaria Hogans
• Craig Hall Coger Theatre

Emerging from the fundamental rhythms of life, dance fuses physical and emotional energy to create a medium of expression like no other.  Each year, Missouri State’s Spring Dance Concert offers fresh compositions in a variety of dance styles, many featuring original music and multimedia effects. Innovative choreography animates concepts ranging from the fanciful to the profound, while showcasing the strength, precision, grace, beauty and joy of movement that is dance.  Prepare to be surprised, delighted, challenged and inspired by the Boundless power of performance art at our Spring Dance Concert!