Disney princesses and classic Shakespeare featured in ESU Theatre's 2026-27 season
'Frozen' featured as Homecoming musical in October
Emporia, KS (09/10/2026) — Emporia State University launches a full season of theatre productions with the Oct. 22 premiere of Disney's "Frozen: The Broadway Musical." The show will have an expanded run with five full productions presented over four days.
Based on the award-winning animated Disney movie, "Frozen: The Broadway Musical" presents Princesses Anna and Elsa of the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, who grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she's desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains.
As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home - with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf.
Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, "Frozen" is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love. The ESU production is directed by Aubrey Wilson with choreography by Marah McFadden and music direction by Dr. Joshua Donaldson.
The shows in Bruder Theatre will be presented at:
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 22 and 23
- 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 and
- 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Tickets for the production will go on sale in late September.
Three other shows round out the 2026-27 season.
"Below the Belt," Nov. 12 through 15.
Dobbitt has been posted to a dismal, distant place, a grim industrial compound that uncomfortably resembles a prison where his quarters have bunks (one freezing cold and the other boiling hot), a table, and an ancient typewriter. He is a checker; he checks though he has no idea what is being made with an irascible coworker who has been in this place for years. Their inept boss possesses a singular talent for fomenting dissent. The comic interplay among these men, one bullying and truculent, one ambitious and evasive, and the third a trembling mass of insecurity and arrogance, is irresistibly funny. As they comically maneuver in their pointless quest for status, sinister little animals encroach on the compound. Jim Harris is directing the production.
"Twelfth Night," March 4 through 7, 2027
In this well-known Shakespeare play, Viola, who was separated from her twin brother after a shipwreck, disguises herself as a man named Cesario to work for Duke Orsino. A chaotic love triangle forms when the Duke sends her to woo Countess Olivia, who instead falls for Cesario, while Viola has secretly fallen in love with the Duke. The show is directed by Dennis Turney Jr.
"No Exit," April 29 through May 2, 2027
Written by existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, "No Exit" features three deceased strangers - Joseph Garcin, Inez Serrano and Estelle Rigault - who are locked in a lavishly decorated room in Hell. Expecting traditional torture, they realize their eternal torment is psychological: they are forced to expose their deepest sins and past guilts while being perpetually judged by the others. The drama centers on the inescapable nature of human scrutiny, famously concluding with the realization that "Hell is other people." Guest director Tony Roach is handling the show. Roach is an Emporia native with credits in Broadway shows. His parents, Neil and Carol Roach, are longtime friends of ESU.
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About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences, Library and Information Management and Library and Archives, Science and Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
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