The Illinois State University School of Theatre and Dance presents the fall 2023 production season. Performances will be held on the campus of Illinois State University with location, dates, and times listed for each show below.

Fall 2023

Princess Fearless

Written by Keetha B.
Directed by Jimmy Chrismon
September 21-23, at 7:30 p.m.
September 23 and 24, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Performing Arts Theatre

This original play—based on a book of the same name, written by Matthews Playhouse teaching Artist Lakeetha Blakeney (Keetha B.)—tells the story of Louise Miller (Lou for short), a fourth grader in Mrs. Smith’s class at Corine L. Cannon Elementary school, who has a major problem. She has been late for school several times and will be in big trouble if it happens again. She has to face her fears in order to get there before the bell rings.

Frankenstein

Written by Alexander Utz
Directed by John McCall
October 6, 7, and 11-14, at 7:30 p.m.
October 8, at 2 p.m.
Westhoff Theatre

An adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic, in which the story of Frankenstein is interwoven with elements of Shelley’s own life and the origin of the Frankenstein legend. Perhaps the monsters we conjure are not always as inhuman as they seem.

The Addams Family A New Musical Comedy

Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Directed by Maggie Marlin-Hess and Matthew Vala
October 27, 28, and November 1-4, at 7:30 p.m.
October 29 and November 5, at 2 p.m.
Center for the Performing Arts Theatre

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.

how to clean your room (and remember all your trauma)

Written by j. chavez
Directed by Al Oltmanns
November 10, 11, and 14-16, at 7:30 p.m.
November 12, at 2 p.m.
Westhoff Theatre

Spencer begins to clean their room and reflect on their relationships with the people around them. Who can and can’t we control in our lives, does caring mean anything beyond words, and does infatuation go both ways? A play in two cycles with anxiety, depression, and puppets.