U of I Theatre Arts to present dystopian drama ‘1984’
Stage adaptation of George Orwell’s novel presents themes of surveillance, control and the human spirit to Moscow audiences
October 7, 2026
MOSCOW, Idaho — The University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts presents “1984” adapted by Robert Owens, Wilton E. Hall Jr. and William A. Miles Jr. from George Orwell’s novel. The seven-performance run opens with a preview at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. All shows take place at the Forge Theater, 404 Sweet Ave., Moscow.
Additional performances include:
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
“1984” depicts with intense theatricality the horrors of humanity’s fate in a society where privacy is a crime, thoughts can be prosecuted, language and truth are reinvented and everything that is not prohibited is compulsory. It is a totalitarian world that defines war as peace, freedom as slavery, ignorance as strength and where hate replaces love. Big Brother is always watching.
“‘1984’ is more relevant today than ever. The struggle the characters face to maintain their humanity in an increasingly surveilled and controlled world is something I know will resonate with audiences,” said Craig A. Miller, associate professor of theatre at U of I and director of “1984.” “This production challenges audiences to sit forward a bit and perhaps realize that each one of them individually, and together as a community, represent the great hope of preventing our world from becoming like the world of ‘1984.’”
Tickets are free for U of I students and $6 to $26 for the public and are on sale now at uitickets.com.
For information about other upcoming Department of Theatre Arts productions, visit go.uidaho.edu/theatre-productions.
Media contact
Alisa Volz
Communications strategist
Department of Theatre Arts and Lionel Hampton School of Music
208-885-5627
avolz@uidaho.edu