ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Northern State University Theatre Program announces its slate of theatrical programming for the 2023-24 season.
The Johnson Fine Arts Center will host a season of comedic theatre filled with surprises. “The theme for next year’s season is ‘Surprisingly Funny,’” says professor Kane Anderson. “The Season Selection Committee pored over scripts and scores before putting together an exciting collection of shows that will touch your heart and funny bone alike. We are thrilled to share theatre representing a variety of genres tied together by a passion for entertaining our audiences and educating our students.”
The season will open with "The Canonized Club: The Curious Lives & Deaths of Saints" by Aberdeen playwright Deena Ronayne. When the Pope decides to cut back on the number of canonized saints, all hell breaks loose in heaven! This workshop production will appear first at the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland at the beginning of August. After the student cast returns from Scotland, the Theatre Program will mount the show for Aberdeen-area audiences Aug. 25-27 in the Black Box Theater. The show will be directed by Kane Anderson.
Northern’s fall musical production will be "Heathers: The Musical" by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy. Inspired by 1989’s hit film "Heathers," this dark comedy follows high school misfits confronting the domineering Heathers, a group of teenage girls ruthlessly ruling the school. Big hair and shoulder pads are no match when the Heathers’ reign—and lives!—are cut short. This musical for mature audiences will take place Oct. 19-22 in the Jewett Theater. The show will be directed by Kane Anderson with musical direction by Michael Skyles.
In the spring, all rules will fly out the window as Northern produces "Meteor Shower" by Steve Martin. When two couples come together to watch a rare meteor shower, absurd secrets come raining down on a dinner party where nothing goes as planned. Meteor Shower will play Feb. 29-March 3 in the Black Box Theater, directed by Kane Anderson.
Finally, the season closer is a fun theatre for young audiences project—"Peter/Wendy" by Jeremy Bloom. In this whimsical adaptation of the beloved classic Peter Pan, lost boys and pirates collide as Wendy figures out just what it means to grow up. This all-ages play will run April 12 - 13 in the Black Box Theater, directed by Kane Anderson.
The 2023-24 season will also feature a student-produced project in the fall. As part of The Lab initiative, student directors will propose shows before selection by Theatre Program faculty. All shows in the season are pending the acquisition of performance rights.
The Theatre Program faculty includes Kane Anderson, Assistant Professor of Acting and Directing, and Noah J. Files, Assistant Professor of Theatre Design. Staff includes Production Manager Brian Omland. The Season Selection Committee also includes Michael Skyles (music), Josh VanLaecken (business), Missy Nguyen (community representative), Tony Kollman (community representative), and Cadin Kallenberger (student representative).
Ticket Information
All tickets to faculty-directed plays are general admission and will be available at the door. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and NSU faculty/staff. Students will be admitted for free. Payment will be cash or check only; debit or credit cards will not be accepted. There will be no advance or online ticket sales. For more information, contact the NSU School of Fine Arts at 605-626-2497.
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a student-centered institution that provides an outstanding educational experience, preparing students through the liberal arts and professional education for their future endeavors. A regional university, Northern offers rigorous academics; diverse civic, social and cultural opportunities; and a commitment to building an inclusive environment for all points of view. Northern also offers a broad-based athletics program, sponsoring 15 NCAA Division II intercollegiate varsity sports that compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NSIC). The university strives to enrich the community through partnerships such as its Educational Impact Campaign, which opened a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; new athletic and recreation fields; and an on-campus regional sports complex. With the $55 million campaign, NSU has been the recipient of more than $150 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.
Pictured above: Northern students performing in a past NSU Theatre production.