Current Productions
2025-2026 Season
AWAKENING
Theatre and Dance awaken us to a universe of ideas and emotions. They broaden our perspective and deepen our understanding of ourselves and others. Join us for these transformational productions of our 2025-2026 season.
Fall 2025
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Love, mischief and magic converge in Shakespeare's whimsical comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Oct. 2-5
Dance Nation
Girls on the cusp of puberty enter the hyper-competitive, high-energy, hormone-charged world of "Dance Nation."
Oct. 24-28
Fall Dance Concert: Immersion
Our students present an array of thought-provoking original compositions at the "Fall Dance Concert: Immersion."
Nov. 6-9
Spring Awakening: A New Musical
The minefield of adolescence harbors very real hazards for a group of friends in "Spring Awakening: A New Musical."
Nov. 14-17, 20-22
A Midsummer Night's Dream
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Sarah Wiggin
Showings
7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-5
Venue
John Goodman Amphitheatre
Synopsis
In one of his most whimsical and lighthearted comedies, Shakespeare celebrates the confusing, chaotic, magical, irrational, irresistible nature of romantic love. In a moonlit forest on the eve of a royal wedding, several sets of characters converge: a group of young lovers, a troupe of amateur actors and a band of mischievous fairies. Through their cleverly interconnected plotlines – including a play within the play – "A Midsummer Night's Dream" encompasses the many guises of love and, ultimately, true love's power to restore balance and harmony.
Tickets
Adults: $16
Students/Seniors: $13
MSU Students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID. Senior
discounts available.
Group Rate: Call Box Office
Dance Nation
By Clare Barron
Directed by Nikki Ferry
Showings
7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-25 & 27
2:30 p.m. Oct. 25 & 26
Venue
Credo Arts Center
Synopsis
A troupe of middle school girls set their sights on winning a national dance composition known as the Boogie Down Grand Prix. Dance teacher Pat has choreographed what he hopes will be a breakthrough performance piece: a jazz-ballet paean to Mahatma Gandhi! As if the surrealism of this concept were not enough, the girls are grappling with the seismic changes of puberty on their bodies and psyches; the effects of ambition and rivalry on their friendships; and their dawning sense of self-awareness and empowerment. "Dance Nation" is an explosion of motion and emotion!
Mature content.
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Tickets
Adults: $15
Students/Seniors: $12
MSU Students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID. Senior
discounts available.
Group Rate: Call Box Office
Fall Dance Concert: Immersion
Coordinated by Azaria Hogans
Showings
7:30 p.m. Nov. 6-8
2:30 p.m. Nov. 9
Venue
TBD
Synopsis
Each autumn, our dance students immerse themselves in the challenge of expressing ideas and emotions through movement. Bringing an original composition from concept to performance requires a deep dive into the creative process and all aspects of production, from choreography to costume design, music and sound, lighting and multimedia. The result is an innovative and creatively diverse collection of pieces that aim to awaken the senses and touch the souls of audience members. Take the plunge with our students, and be amazed at the "Fall Dance Concert: Immersion!"
Tickets
Purchase Tickets
Adults: $15
Students/Seniors: $12
MSU Students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID. Senior
discounts available.
Group Rate: Call Box Office
Spring Awakening: A New Musical
Book and lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Julia Moriarty
Musical direction by Heather Luellen
Showings
7:30 p.m. Nov. 13-15 & 17
2:30 p.m. Nov. 15 & 16
Venue
Credo Arts Center
Synopsis
The excitement of self-discovery and budding sexuality – combined with angst, confusion, frustration, rage and rebellion – forms the fraught emotional landscape of adolescence. For a group of students in 1891 Germany, the expectations and moral constraints of society make their journey all the more difficult, and the repressive silence of parents, teachers and clergy leaves the young people stumbling blindly toward adulthood – with tragic consequences. A poignant coming of age story with a fresh muscial score, "Spring Awakening" shines a light on timeless themes.
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Mature content.
Tickets
Adults: $25
Students/Seniors: $22
MSU Students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID. Senior
discounts available.
Group Rate: Call Box Office
Spring 2026
Broadway Giants: Lloyd Webber & Sondheim
Musical Theatre students join forces with the Springfield Symphony in "Broadway Giants: Lloyd Webber & Sondheim."
March 7
Airness
Enter the quirky, passionate, exhilarating universe of competitive air guitar in the rock-infused comedy, "Airness."
April 9-12
Spring Dance Concert: Pillars
The university's mission in Public Affairs inspires relevant new works in "Pillars: Spring Dance Concert."
April 23-26
Broadway Giants: Lloyd Webber & Sondheim
Directed by Josh Young
Conducted by Kyle Wiley Pickett
Musical direction by Heather Luellen
Showings
7:30 p.m. March 7
Venue
Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
Synopsis
Legendary Broadway composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim transformed musical theater with their unforgettable melodies and groundbreaking storytelling. From Webber's soaring ballads in "Phantom of the Opera" and "Evita" to Sondheim's razor-sharp wit in "Sweeney Todd" and "Into the Woods," this concert is a celebration of Broadway at its best. Don't miss this electrifying night of collaboration as Missouri State's Department of Musical Theatre joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in a concert of favorite songs from "Broadway Giants: Lloyd Webber & Sondheim."
Tickets
Purchase tickets
Airness
By Chelsea Marcantel
Directed by Karen Sabo
Showings
7:30 p.m. April 9-11
2:30 p.m. April 12
Venue
Credo Arts Center
Synopsis
Real-life rocker Nina O'Neal thinks she can easily win an air guitar contest. She knows the songs, she knows the moves and, after all, it's just pretend. Isn't it? Nina finds that the world of competitive air guitar is one of passionate misfits, nerds and eccentrics with a singular focus: achieving a state of pure, uninhibited joy known as "airness." To become a champion requires not only technical expertise and stage presence, but also a level of artistic expression where you find yourself by losing yourself. Enter the zone and experience the exhilaration of rock 'n' roll bliss that is "Airness!"
Mature content.
Tickets
Adults: $15
Students/Seniors: $12
MSU Students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID. Senior
discounts available.
Group Rate: Call Box Office
Spring Dance Concert: Pillars
Coordinated by Azaria Hogans
Showings
8:00 p.m. April 23-26
Venue
John Goodman Amphitheatre
Synopsis
Missouri State's Public Affairs mission distinguishes it from other universities. The three pillars of Public Affairs – Ethical Leadership, Cultural Competence and Community Engagement – provide both a meaningful foundation for the educational experience and a call to action. The original pieces presented in "Pillars: Spring Dance Concert" reflect the many ways that perspectives are broadened, bonds are strengthened, and individuals and communities are transformed for the better. Celebrate the pillars of citizenship expressed through the power of dance!
Tickets
Adults: $16
Students/Seniors: $13
MSU Students can receive special advance purchase discounts with an MSU ID. Senior
discounts available.
Group Rate: Call Box Office