Welcome to the DePauw Theatre archives, where we invite you to explore the rich history of our past seasons. From thought-provoking dramas to vibrant musical productions, you can browse through years of student performances and creative milestones below.
-
The Seagull
Spring 2023
The Seagull, by Russian dramatist Anton Chekhov, was written in 1895 and is considered to be the first of his four major works. Set in a bohemian estate of a bygone era, romantic and artistic conflict grow between four characters: a famous middle-of-the-road author; the wistful and unworldly Nina; a has-been actress Irina Arkadina; and her son, Constantine, the emblematic playwright. The Seagull can be as much a heartbreaking romance where its characters struggle to remember, forget, and move on from the past as it is a satirical comedy, indulging in the melodramatic and elite world of trivialities and self-delusion. -
Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show
Fall 2022
You’ve seen the movie. You may have seen the stage play. Poor Frank-N-Furter just wants love, but it’s not easy for an alien mad scientist trans-sexual from Transylvania to find it here in the heartland; however, after a nine year hiatus, welcome the return wholesome couple Brad and Janet, Magenta, Riff Raff, Columbia, Eddie, Dr. Scott, local musicians, plenty of University and Greencastle talent, and one build-it-yourself man kit named Rocky, as alien beings once again invade Moore theatre with plenty of good old fashioned gratuitous sex, heartbreak, and violence. As Magenta cautions us, we’ll always want “More! More!! More!!!” We promise our resident intimacy coach will be stretched to the max in this rendition of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. So lace up your fishnets and heels, and join us for what promises to be a raucous good time!
-
Scotland Road
Fall 2022
In the current day, a young woman, dressed in clothes of the early 20th century, is found alone on an iceberg. She is terrified and confused and utters only one word: “Titanic.” She is brought to a makeshift hospital and interrogated by a man determined to break her story--and force her to admit that she’s a publicity-seeking fraud. But as the interrogation intensifies, so does the mystery, and characters reveal devastating secrets. Everyone’s identity is suspect; no one is as they seem. Award winning play Scotland Road is described as a “gripping and relentless,” a “Gothic psychological thriller.” -
Steve Outta Here -- X
Spring 2022
The final installment of a trilogy where an elderly emeritus professor confronted by the ghosts of former students attempts to defend his career accomplishments against accusations of privilege. -
Ajax: The Wounds of War
Spring 2021
For the past twenty years, since 9/11, so many of our modern warriors have come home from Afghanistan and Iraq with more than just outward scars, but dealing with the internal wounds of PTSD. This contemporary interpretation of Sophocles’ powerful ancient Greek play centers on a once great warrior stripped of his honor and driven to his untimely death by those scars. -
Silent Sky
Fall 2021
Meet the fierce and funny women who charted the stars! DePauw Theatre, in conjunction with the Department of Physics and Astronomy and DePauw Women’s Center, present Silent Sky, an award-winning play by Lauren Gunderson that celebrates the profound contributions of the first women “astronomers” at the Harvard Observatory. The play explores the lives and discoveries of three brilliant women, Henrietta Leavitt, Annie Cannon, and Williamina Fleming who worked at the Harvard Observatory as “human computers” in the early 1900s. As women, they were expected to “resist the temptation to analyze” and simply log discoveries made by men. Their work was measured in “girl hours,” and they were not permitted to touch the “Great Refractor” telescope. Despite such restrictions, Henrietta, Annie, and Williamina chart thousands of stars, and their exciting discoveries set the standard still used today for measuring distances in space. However, their success comes at a cost to their personal lives. Based on the real-life contributions of these three historical figures, Silent Sky celebrates these remarkable women, who, through their humor and perseverance, fought for professional recognition--and respect--in a man’s world. -
The Spitfire Grill
Fall 2021
Based on the hit 1996 film of the same name, “The Spitfire Grill” follows Percy Talbot, who travels to the small town of Gilead, Wisconsin, where she finds new meaning to her life and helps others do the same. Featuring a gorgeous, soulful score, “The Spitfire Grill” is a heartwarming and inspirational musical tale of redemption, perseverance and family. -
Zoom Doom: Three Short Disaster Plays by Student Writers
Spring 2021
Sophia Goettke, The Trial of Minnie Baker: A YouTube channel host with a padded resume and exaggerated computer skills is unknowingly hired by the CIA, and finds herself facing charges of murder, treason and espionage.
Allie Duranceau, The Weatherman: A popular TV weatherman, broadcasting from his living room during the pandemic, discovers an impending storm has already landed inside his house.
Cami Henry, The Date: Two online classmates resort to a zoom first date; their roommates, however, have other ideas.