The Departments of Theatre & Dance at KU have announced a 2025 season balancing the zero-gravity trailblazing of astronomers and astronauts with more grounded narratives of grief and belonging.
“In challenging times, it is more important than ever for artists to explore the relationship between individuals and their broader community,” Henry Bial, professor and chair of the department, said in a KU news release. “These works do just that while continuing to surprise and delight audiences with the outstanding efforts of our students, staff and faculty.”
The department will put on six mainstage productions throughout the coming school year.
Coming to the stage near you
“Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson will set the season in motion Oct. 3.
“Lauren Gunderson’s luminous play honors Henrietta Leavitt and the remarkable women ‘computers’ at Harvard who measured the universe before they even had the right to vote,” professor and artistic director Markus Potter said. “… This story reminds us that art and science share a common spirit of curiosity and courage. I can’t wait to see our students inhabit these trailblazers with the sensitivity and intelligence they deserve and to share this inspiring history with our community.
Students will also put on the Tony award-winning comedy musical “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” starting Oct. 24, followed by two contemporary American productions.
“Corners Grove” by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin is a coming-of-age tale centering queer characters for fans of “Our Town,” starting March 6. Potter said it has an “introspective modern twist” while exploring evergreen themes of belonging, grief and community.
The final theatre production of the season will be “The Laramie Project” by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theatre Project, coming up in late April. This play, created after two years of interviews, examines a town at the center of the anti-gay hate crime killing of Matthew Shepard.
A full dance card
Dance aficionados can look forward to two University Dance Company concerts, which will both be livestreamed.
The fall performances, running Nov. 14-16, will feature a contemporary piece from Jessica Chen drawing on the experiences and stories of astronauts.
Dancers will also flaunt their skills with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” choreography.
Students at the forefront
“The season also includes student-led, and often personally reflective, smaller stagings of theatre and dance,” according to KU.
The Jayhawk Performance Lab, yet to be announced for the 2025 and 2026 school year, typically features performances written and produced by students. Also forthcoming is the schedule of two senior showcases, which will be livestreamed.
Performance calendar
Here is the schedule of student theatre and dance events, according to KU.
Showtimes are at 7 p.m., unless marked with * to indicate a 2 p.m. matinee. A ^ indicates that the time is to be determined. Dates are accurate as of publication but may change.
- Oct. 3, 4*, 4, 5* — “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson
- Oct. 24, 25^, 26*, 29, 30, 31, Nov. 1^, 2* — “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman
- Nov. 14, 15^, 16* — University Dance Company Fall Concert
- March 6, 7, 8*, 10, 11, 12, 2026 — “Corners Grove” by Kaela Mei-Shing Garvin
- April 10, 11, 12*, 2026 — University Dance Company Spring Concert
- April 24, 25*, 25, 26*, 26, 2026 — “The Laramie Project” by Moisés Kaufman and the members of the Tectonic Theater Project
Tickets can be purchased on the KU Theatre and UDC websites.
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