A retelling of “Eurydice,” a farcical love story drawing from Italian commedia dell’arte, “The Spongebob Musical” and ballet will all take the stage for the 2026-27 KU Theatre & Dance season.
The five-show season aims to highlight community and resilience, according to a KU news release.
“From intimate personal stories to large-scale spectacles, each production invites audiences to gather, imagine, laugh, reflect and connect with one another,” said Markus Potter, KU professor and artistic director. “At a moment when genuine human connection can feel increasingly rare, live performance continues to offer something irreplaceable.”
Season lineup
Here’s the full season lineup with performance dates, according to KU. All of the theatres listed below are in Murphy Hall, 1530 Naismith Drive.
Showtimes are at 7 p.m., unless marked with * to indicate a 2 p.m. matinee. Dates are accurate as of publication but may change.
• “Songs for a New World” is a series of vignettes following characters at pivotal, life-changing moments. Its music and lyrics are written by Jason Robert Brown and will be directed by KU lecturer Michelle Miller.
→ Oct. 2, 4*, 9, 10 and 11* in Crafton-Preyer Theatre
• “The Emperor of the Moon” is by Restoration playwright Aphra Behn, edited and directed by doctoral student Gillian Genardo. “The play is based on Italian commedia dell’arte with scenography taking inspiration from midcentury modern architecture and a science fiction (à la “The Jetsons”) aesthetic,” according to the release.
→ Oct. 30 and 31, and Nov. 1*, 3, 4 and 5 in William Inge Memorial Theatre
• The University Dance Company Fall Concert will feature choreography from visiting guests, KU professors and faculty members, and doctoral students. There will be performances from KU and University of Buffalo students featuring large ensemble contemporary works, a debut piece that connects to ecology, ballet and improvised dance.
→ Nov. 20, 21 and 22* in Crafton-Preyer Theatre
• Sarah Ruhl reimagined a classic myth in “Eurydice,” told from the perspective of the titular character. “This visually inventive play shows acts of love both grand and quiet and asks what remains when memory slips away,” the release reads.
→ March 5, 6, 7*, 9, 10 and 11 in William Inge Memorial Theatre
• “The Spongebob Musical” written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau is an all-ages performance featuring dance numbers performed to contemporary hits.
→ April 10, 11*, 16, 17 and 18* in Crafton-Preyer Theatre
People can purchase tickets on the KU Theatre website and the UDC website.
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