ESU Theatre Opens 'Below the Belt' as Second Show of the Season
Program offers discounted tickets to thank supporters
Emporia, KS (11/09/2026) — The second production of the 2026-27 season for Emporia State University Theatre clearly shows the overall work that goes into the theatre program for both students and faculty.
"Below the Belt," a comedy set in a soulless corporate world, opens Thursday, Nov. 12 with four shows through Sunday.
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.
This second show of the season opens just 18 days after the final of five performances of the annual Homecoming musical. Staging the musical "Frozen" featured approximately 90 people, including students, faculty and community members onstage, behind the scenes and in the orchestra pit. In contrast, "Below the Belt" has 30 people in the cast and crew.
Most, however, worked on both productions. All three onstage actors for "Below the Belt," Matthew Womble as Dobbitt, Colin Newland as Hanrahan and Jyck Green as Merkin, worked behind the scenes for "Frozen." Newland was the lightboard operator, Womble was second audio assistant, and Green was house manager.
"It's not unusual for those who work in theatre to have a preference for acting and crew roles in a production," explained Aubrey Wilson, ESU director of theatre. "But we want to ensure that our graduates understand all areas of a show. Onstage performers with experience backstage and crew members who understand the needs in front of the curtain are invaluable to a production."
Also invaluable for the performers is performing in front of a full audience.
"Actors feed off the reactions of the audience, which, especially in a comedy, can include learning to make minor adjustments so reactions don't step on lines," explained Wilson.
Everyone involved in "Frozen" is grateful to all who came to see the five sold-out shows. They want to extend their gratitude to those who come to see "Below the Belt" by offering a discount on ticket prices.
"Below the Belt" will be performed in the Ronald Q. Frederickson Theatre in ESU's Roosevelt Hall. The four shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased online at emporia.link/theatre-tickets. They cost $18 for adult, $13 for seniors, ESU staff and ESU Theatre Guild members. Enter the code SUPPORTESUTHEATRE to save 50%. ESU students tickets are free but do require reservations through the ticket site.
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.
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Tickets are available now for "Below the Belt," the second show of ESU Theatre's 2026-27 season.