ESU Theatre Presents 'Major Barbara' by George Bernard Shaw
Emporia, KS (02/10/2026) — Emporia State University Theatre presents "Major Barbara" by George Bernard Shaw. Performances are scheduled for March 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall. Tickets went on sale Feb. 6.
Andrew Undershaft, a millionaire armaments dealer, loves money and despises poverty. His estranged daughter Barbara, on the other hand, shows her love for the poor by throwing her energies into her work as a major in the Salvation Army and sees her father as another soul to be saved. But when the Army needs funds to keep going, it is Undershaft who saves the day with a large check - forcing Barbara to examine her moral assumptions.
Are they right to accept money that has been obtained by "Death and Destruction"? Full of lively comedy and sparkling debate, "Major Barbara" brilliantly tests the tensions between religion, wealth and power, benevolence and equality and metaphors and realities of war.
Visit emporia.edu/tickets for reservations or additional information or call the box office at (620) 341-5256 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays with any questions. The show runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with two 10-minute intermissions. Tickets will also be available at the Karl C. Bruder Theatre Box Office one hour before the show.
The cast consists of Kaycee Schulte (Derby), Matthew Womble (Sedalia), Jasper Enneking (Sabetha), Lucas Perez Leahy (Atlanta, Georgia), Nautianna Goforth (Humboldt), Ross Owen (Huntsville, Missouri), Kaitlynn Tarrant (Crescent, Oklahoma), Alex Knudsen (Branson, Missouri), Colin Newland (Wichita), Elliott Jonston (Basehor), Xavier Huffman (Pittsburg), Atticus Smith (Parsons), Grey Mink (Parsons).
The production team includes: Director / Sound Design Dennis Turney Jr, Dialect Coach Lewis Trotter, Stage Manager Maya Lee (Wichita), Assistant Stage Manager Tress Katzenmeier (Shawnee), Assistant Stage Manager Ollie Trahan (Bonner Springs), Scenic Design Nic Wilson, Assistant Scenic Design Sam Haney (Larned), Costume Design Kelsey Looney, Assistant Costume Design Jyck Green (Lenexa), Lighting Design Carly Welter (Olathe).
The Lightboard Operator Riley Welter (Olathe), Soundboard Operator Jarrett Davis (Rossville), Deck Crew Consists of Cooper Goerge (Fort Scott), Trey Hinrichs (Emporia), Shaylan Haney (Gardner), Danielle McClellan (Emporia), Luis Rivera Rede (Liberal), Master Electrician David Munzell Johnson (Olathe), Wardrobe Crew Head Aspen Walker (Wichita), Wardrobe Running Crew Consists of Elly Rishell (Wichita), Castiel Samples (Emporia), Analyse Hayley (Warsaw), Hannah Brean (Derby), Alicia Hernandez-Gonzalez (Olathe).
House Manager Ashton Ramsey (Great Bend). Box Office Manager Eva Girard (Overland Park). Costume Construction / Maintenance consists of Ethan Maestas (Wichita), Alexa Courtney (Emporia). Scenic Carpenters consists of Jeremiah Johnson (Salina), Bryce Oliphant (Ellinwood). Scenic Painters are Charlotte Proctor (Altoona, Iowa).
Performances are scheduled for March 5, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. and March 8 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre, in King Hall, Emporia State University Campus. Visit emporia.edu/tickets and scroll down to the "Major Barbara" event for additional information and to order tickets.
About Emporia State Theatre
Emporia State University has one of the oldest and strongest theatre programs in the country, with well over 1,000 graduates. Many are working across the country in professional and academic theatre. At ESU, students can earn a BFA or BA in theatre, or gain certification to become a secondary teacher in the BSE program in speech and theatre. We are proud to be a part of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. ESU Theatre is an active participant of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
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.
