The faculty and staff of SUU’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Arts Administration are inviting students to participate in discussions about the upcoming school year’s show season.
In October, students and faculty submitted production proposals that align with the department’s goals for the 2026-27 season. Over 40 proposals were submitted, and the department has narrowed down the list to 16 possible productions.
Possible selections for next season include musicals such as “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Lightning Thief” and “If/Then,” as well as plays such as “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Crucible” and “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”
The first of two public meetings was held on Wednesday and focused on selecting the fall play and musical.
“Our goals for the fall show involve having around twenty people in the cast, that it has high language and that it’s most likely to be in the Engelstad,” said department chair Brian Swanson. “At some point, our season has to accomplish two other goals: one is that it has to have some level of stage combat in one of the productions, and we also would like to (be able to) afford a theatre-for-young-audience offering.”
Beyond logistical considerations, the discussion also addressed how the season could reflect the racial, gender, sexual and cultural identities of the campus community.
One student raised concerns about gender representation in past productions staged in the Engelstad Theatre.
“Oftentimes it’s the female-presenting people who are gender-bent to play men,” said Katri Redd. “I would love to see us be able to tackle feminine roles.”
Student Micah Cajilig said that these meetings provide an important opportunity for student voices to be heard and shine a light on things that might go over professors’ heads.
The final season selection is expected to be announced in late February or early March. Students interested in participating in the selection process can attend the next meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. in the Music Center, room 209.
