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ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2025–26 season in September with a slate of productions ranging from classic satire to contemporary drama and student-devised work. 

The season begins Sept. 25 to 28 with “Ugly Lies the Bone,” directed by Alan Brincks. The play follows Jess, a combat veteran returning to her Florida hometown after serving in Afghanistan. Scarred by trauma and chronic pain, she begins using an experimental virtual reality therapy to heal. Inspired by real medical treatments developed for burn victims, Lindsey Ferrentino’s drama explores the toll of war and the slow process of recovery.

Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” directed by guest artist Jen Onopa, runs Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, also in the Studio Theatre. The classic comedy of manners centers on two friends who adopt alter egos to escape social obligations, only to end up ensnared in a farcical web of lies. The production promises Wilde’s trademark wit and skewering of Victorian-era pretensions.

The fall semester concludes with “Fall & Recovery,” the department’s annual faculty dance concert, running Nov. 20 to 22. The concert features original choreography from faculty and guest artists and showcases student performers in a range of styles.

The spring season begins Feb. 19 to 22 with “Middletown,” written by Will Eno and directed by guest artist Kate Brennan. Set in a fictional small town, the play weaves together the lives of its residents, ranging from a handyman to an expectant mother, while reflecting on connection, loneliness, and the poetry of everyday life.

April brings two student-centered productions. “Next Draft: Student Works Series” (April 9 to 12) will debut original scripts written, directed, and performed by ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ students. The showcase includes short plays and staged readings exploring a range of themes and formats.

The season closes with “Dance Unleashed” on April 24 to 25 in the University Theatre. The spring dance concert features a variety of genres, including modern, contemporary, tap and jazz, highlighting both student performers and choreographers.

All productions except “Dance Unleashed” will take place in the Studio Theatre on the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University campus.

Tickets can be purchased at .

To learn more about the Department of Theatre and Dance, visit /fine-arts-communication/theatre-and-dance/index.html.