The Illinois State University School of Theatre, Dance, and Film presents the spring 2025 production season. Performances will be held on the campus of Illinois State University with location, dates, and times listed for each show below.
Escobar’s Hippo
The spring 2025 season begins with Escobar’s Hippo, written by Franky D. Gonzalez and directed by M.F.A directing candidate Alejandra Luna.
Synopsis: A Colombian town along the Magdalena River plunges into chaos after a flatulent, destructive, easily offended, and adventurous hippo comes to town and wreaks havoc. The crisis worsens when people begin transforming into hippos themselves causing, not only chaos, but the beginnings of a revolution where humans are trampled by these new Hipposapiens. As this shifting of civilization unfolds, three friends try to figure out how to deal with the transforming population and solve the connection between the hippos and a notorious drug lord. An homage to the works of Ionesco (namely Rhinoceros and The Killer), this play explores through absurdity and comedy the very serious and deadly consequences that come with the surrendering of humanity in favor of bestial urges and self-gratification.
Escobar’s Hippo will be performed in Westhoff Theatre on February 14-15 and 19-22 at 7:30 p.m. as well as on February 16 at 2 p.m.
The Prom
Following Escobar’s Hippo, is the musical The Prom, book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, lyrics by Chad Beguelin, music by Matthew Sklar, and directed by M.F.A directing candidate Al Oltmanns.
Synopsis: Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage, so when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue … and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.
The Prom will be performed in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre on February 28 and March 1 and 4-6 at 7:30 p.m. as well as on March 1-2 at 2 p.m.
Borrowed Babies
Up next in the season is Borrowed Babies, written by Jennifer Blackmer and directed by M.F.A. directing candidate Emily Grimany.
Synopsis: As Judy London nears the end of her career as a professor of home economics, an encounter with one of her former “practice babies” leads her to question her life’s journey and the sacrifices she’s made along the way. Loosely based on the practice and former operation of university “practice houses” for home economics students, Borrowed Babies explores the ever-evolving role of women and mothers in American society over the last 60 years.
Borrowed Babies will be performed in Westhoff Theatre on March 28-29 and April 2-5 at 7:30 p.m. as well as on March 30 at 2 p.m.
Everybody
Rounding up the season’s theatrical productions will be Everybody, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Associate Professor of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film Dr. Le’Mil Eiland.
Synopsis: This modern riff on the fifteenth-century morality play Everyman follows Everybody (chosen from amongst the cast by lottery at each performance) as they journey through life’s greatest mystery—the meaning of living.
Everybody will be performed in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre on Aprill 11-12 and 16-19 at 7:30 p.m. as well as on April 13 at 2 p.m.
Spring Dance Concert–Intermix
Finishing out the season, as always, is our Spring 2025 Dance Concert, with artistic direction from Laina Reese Werner-Powell.
Synopsis: This semester’s dance concert will feature choreography from Laina Reese Werner-Powell, Darby Wilde, Gregory Merriman, Jacob Henss, and guest artist Paula Sousa.
Intermix will be performed in Westhoff Theatre on April 24-26 at 7:30 p.m. as well as on April 26-27 at 2 p.m.
Information about the production runtimes and content warnings will be released on the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film production website as it is made available.
Tickets for the Spring 2025 Season can be purchased in person at the Center for the Performing Arts Box Office on the campus of Illinois State University by calling (309) 438-2535 or on the box office website.
For Illinois State University students, do not forget to buy your Spring Theatre Passes! This is the least expensive way for you to enjoy all the SOTDF main stage performances as purchasing a season pass gives you the best discount to attend all five main stage shows. The cost for five individual student tickets is $54, but the Spring Theatre Pass is only $35.
To use the Theatre Pass:
- Buy the pass from the CPA Box Office in person or over the phone (passes are not available for purchase online).
- The box office is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the CPA Lobby, or call (309) 438-2535.
- Contact the box office to redeem your pass for a specific performance.
- Pick up your ticket at will call, or load it to your phone’s wallet via a mobile pass.
- Buy your ticket in advance! Seats are not held for Theatre Passes and are always subject to availability (especially for Westhoff performances).
Passes can be purchased beginning the week of January 20. Spring and full-year passholders can begin to redeem theatre passes for individual performances beginning Tuesday, January 21.
For questions, stop by or call the box office at (309) 438-2535, or email FineArtsTickets@IllinoisState.edu.
If you need accommodations to fully participate in these programs, please contact the Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at (309) 438-2535. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.