Fall Season 2020

This fall season, University of Idaho Theatre Arts is excited to present three productions which will capture your imagination:

First Bite New Play Development Series

We are excited to launch our First Bite new play development series of plays written by our students:

“Happy Mess” by MFA playwriting candidate Ian Paul Messersmith | directed by Sarah Campbell

New and old family secrets come out as the past and present collide in this dark comedy. In a constant barrage of self-doubt, change and circumstance each character is trying to discover themselves and live their truth. We lie and tell ourselves we’re happy. But when the truth’s revealed there’s a mess to clean up. And this family is one big Happy Mess.

(workshop reading)

• 6 p.m. Oct. 9, 10
• 2 p.m. Oct. 11
• Tickets: free to attend.
• Register here for 6 pm performances of "Happy Mess"
• Register here for 2 pm performance of "Happy Mess"

“The Revolutionists” by Lauren Gunderson | directed by Carly McMinn

A grand comedy about violence and legacy, feminism, terrorism and art and how we change the world.

• 6 p.m. October 23, 24, 30 & 31
• 2 p.m. October 24, 25, 31 & Nov. 1
• Tickets:
  • U of I students FREE
  • Evening performances $5.00 plus tax
  • Matinee performances "pay what you can"
  • Register for a 6 pm (PST) evening performances of "The Revolutionists"
  • Register for a 2 pm (PST) matinee performance of "The Revolutionists"

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, adaptation by MFA playwriting candidate Kendra Phillips

A holiday favorite with David Lee-Painter as the taciturn Scrooge.

• 6:00 p.m. December 4, 5, 12, 13
• 2:00 p.m. December 5, 6, 13
• Tickets:
  • Links to performance & ticket information coming soon!

Greenroom Chats

These virtual meetings bring experienced theatre professionals from around the world to our students via Zoom for revealing conversations about creativity and success in the real world. Previous presenters have included award-winning playwrights, performers, casting directors, puppet masters, company executives and others sharing their stories and wisdom. All Greenroom Chats begin at 1 p.m., Pacific Standard Time unless otherwise noted. If you would like to join us for a particular presentation, please request the Zoom link from the Department of Theatre Arts at theatre@uidaho.edu.

Coming next:

• Sept. 25, Juan Cabello and Geralldy Najera, directors, performers

• October 2, AnaSofia Villanueva, producer, director, writer, activist

• October 23, Aurin Squire, playwright

• Nov. 6, (at 6 p.m.) Native Playwriting Panel: Carolyn Dunn, Ty Defoe, Randy Reinholz, DeLanna Studi

• Nov. 13, Prison Performing Arts: Dario Pena, Robbie Pollock, Kathleen Powers-Kusio

• Dec. 4, Chelsea Hackett, executive director of SPEAK

• Dec. 11 (at 6 p.m.) LatinX Playwriting Panel

Previous guest artists:

Idris Goodwin, playwright, Sept. 4

Lavina Jadhwani, director Sept. 11

Amy Rose Marsh, Concord Theatricals (formerly Samuel French), Sept. 18