HWS News
24 June 2024 HWS Theatre Announces 2024-2025 Season
Ancient tragedy, modern rock and contemporary fairy tale collide in the HWS Theatre 2024-2025 season.
What do next season’s HWS Theatre productions all have in common? One word, many secrets. Each of the one-word titles hides worlds of characters marked by strength and desire and an abiding determination to find their path.
What does it mean to rule fairly? To whom do we owe our loyalty? At what cost? What is the relationship between justice and the law? Is it a sign of strength or weakness to allow the advice of others to transform us? To what lengths will people go to justify the death and dishonor of those who have wronged them? Can there be peace in a world where everything is imagined in opposition?
These questions in Sophocles’ Antigone resonate as strongly as ever in Richard Emil Braun’s poetic translation. The HWS Theatre 2024-2025 season opens with Antigone, directed by Professor of Theatre H. May. This classical Greek tragedy will be performed Thursday, Oct. 3 - Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 in the Sunken Gardens on the HWS Arts Campus (rain location: McDonald Theatre, Gearan Center for the Performing Arts).
In the world of competitive air guitar there is one big question: will you shred or be shredded? From dingy dive bars to the national championships, this group of quirky performers really rocks. But as newcomer Nina soon learns, there’s much more to air guitar than glitz, glam and gorgeous hair. What secrets are revealed on and off stage? The HWS Theatre 2024-2025 season continues with Airness by Chelsea Marcantel, directed by Professor of Theatre Chris Woodworth, running Thursday, Feb. 20 - Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 in McDonald Theatre of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts.
One charming devil, four challenged souls, and maybe, possibly, a witch? This refreshingly modern, comedic, retelling of the Jacobean Drama, The Witch of Edmonton, explores topics of gender, sexuality, parenthood, love, power and self-worth. Written by celebrated playwright, Jen Silverman, Witch plays like a fairy-tale but penetrates like deep philosophy. While you won't lose your soul in the theatre, you will walk away devilishly moved. Directed by Professor of Theatre Chris Hatch, Witch closes out the 2023-2024 HWS Theatre, running Thursday, April 10 – Saturday, April 12, 2025 in McDonald Theatre of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. Witch is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
HWS Theatre welcomes back their extraordinary team of designers for the 2024-2025 season. Ed Hallborg returns for his eighth season as resident designer/technical director. Kelly Walker returns for a 12th season as HWS Theatre resident sound and projections designer. Katharine Tarkulich returns as HWS Theatre costume designer for a sixth season.
Tickets for all HWS Theatre productions are free (donations accepted) and should be reserved through www.hws.edu/HWSTheatreBoxOffice. Online ticket reservations close two hours before each performance. Remaining tickets will be available at the Box Office, one hour before each performance.
Auditions for the remaining roles in Antigone will be held the first week of classes. Additional audition information and sign-ups will be posted closer to the start of the academic year. Auditions for Airness and Witch will be held in the second half of the Fall semester. To learn more about the upcoming season as well as other exciting events in the Theatre Department, all members of the HWS community are invited to attend the HWS Theatre Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 7 - 8:30 p.m. in McDonald Theatre of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts.
To keep up to date on the HWS Theatre season as well as other exciting happenings visit the Theatre Department, or find us on Facebook, or Instagram (@hwstheatre). For specific questions, contact Department Chair Chris Woodworth (cwoodworth@hws.edu or 315-781-4581).
Top: In the McDonald Theatre, the cast of “Zombie Cheerleaders, a Teenage Witch, and the Demonic Voice on the other End of the Phone” performs under the direction of Professor of Theatre Chris Woodworth.
