Emporia State University

Emporia State University Theatre presents "The Rocky Horror Show" by Richard O'Brien as the 2025 Homecoming musical. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 23, 24, 25, 30 and Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. There will be a special midnight show on Oct. 31. All performances will be held in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "The Mistress of the Inn," an Italian comedy by Carlo Goldoni. Performances are scheduled for April 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre, in King Hall.

Emporia State University's Summer Theatre presented William Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" for its 70th anniversary season. The company performed the four shows June 27 through 30.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Androcles and the Lion," book by Aurand Harris and music by Glenn Mack. Performances are scheduled for April 19 through 21 in the Ronald Q. Frederickson Black Box Theatre, in Roosevelt Hall.

Students and faculty from Emporia State University's theatre program attended Festival 56 of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region 5, in Des Moines, Iowa, from Jan. 16-21.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Late, A Cowboy Song" by Sarah Ruhl. Performances are scheduled for Feb. 29 and March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 3 at 2 p.m. in the Ronald Q. Frederickson Black Box Theatre, in Roosevelt Hall.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Little Shop of Horrors" by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Performances are scheduled for Oct. 26, 27, and 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre, in King Hall.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Ride the Cyclone" by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell. Performances are scheduled for June 21, 22, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and June 25 at 2 p.m. in the Ronald Q. Frederickson Black Box Theatre, in Roosevelt Hall. "Ride the Cyclone" is an electrifying musical experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Set in a small-town high school, this darkly comedic tale follows a group of misfit students who are chosen to compete in a local talent show. But when a tragic accident befalls them on a roller coaster ride, they find themselves trapped between life and death, forced to confront their deepest fears and desires. Featuring a thrilling score that blends rock, pop and musical theater, "Ride the Cyclone" is a show like no other.

Emporia State University Theatre presents Yasmina Reza's dark comedy "God of Carnage" translated by Christopher Hampton for four performances Dec. 1 through 4 in the Ronald Q. Frederickson Black Box Theatre in Roosevelt Hall. Performances are Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Curtains," written by Rupert Holmes with lyrics by Fred Ebb, and music by John Kander, as the 2022 Homecoming musical. Performances are Oct. 27, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall, Emporia State University campus.

Ten Emporia State students will be part of a virtual band performance during the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Monday night, Jan. 11.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "The Lifespan of a Fact" by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell March 3 through 6 at the Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Performances March 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m. and March 6 at 2 p.m.

Emporia State University Theatre presents Douglas J. Cohen's "No Way to Treat a Lady" as the 2021 Summer Theatre Musical at 7:30 p.m. on June 23, 24, 25 and 26. This fast-paced, murder-musical comedy is set in seedy 1970s New York. Follow lovable schlub-of-a-detective Morris Brummel in his pursuit of a serial strangler across the city, while he negotiates a romance with a woman way out of his league. Who will be the first to grab the daily headlines: the killer or the detective?

Emporia State University Theatre presents Euripides' "Medea," in a new version by Ben Power, as its fall 2020 show. Two free performances will be presented on the steps of ESU's Memorial Union at 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31 with an alternate performance scheduled for Nov. 1, in case of inclement weather. The production runs 90 minutes.

In a pandemic-era homage to ESU Theatre's annual Homecoming musical, three 20-minute programs will live-stream Mondays at 7:30 p.m. on ESU Theatre's Facebook page. The free performances will be broadcast live from the Karl C. Bruder Theatre, featuring different songs nightly.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Little Women, The Musical" from Oct. 17 to 20, in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre.

Actors rapping to "Othello" is just one of the featured moments as ESU Summer Theatre continues its 65th anniversary season with its third production of the season, "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, abridged."

The second show of ESU Summer Theatre's 65th season is one of two fan favorites being reprised.

ESU Summer Theatre closes its 65th anniversary season with its annual family-friendly production, "The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs."

Emporia State's Summer Theatre program celebrates its 65th birthday this season. The program was begun in 1955 by Karl C. Bruder and is the longest running summer stock theatre on the Great Plains. Season 65 begins with "What I Did Last Summer," a charming memory play from A.R. Gurney, the author of "The Dining Room," "Love Letters" and "Family Furniture." Each has been performed on ESU stages in previous seasons.

Emporia State University Theatre kicked off the spring season with "Steel Magnolias" by Robert Harling. This production was under the direction of Theresa Mitchell, who retired this spring after 20 years with the Department of Communication and Theatre.

The final show of the 2018-19 theatre season at Emporia State University is William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

Senior theatre major Hewleek McKoy of Olathe has been selected to attend the Open Jar Institute in New York City. He is the third ESU Theatre student since 2012 to earn the honor.

"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" is the second production of the 2018-19 ESU Theatre season. It will play in the Ronald Q. Frederickson Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 through 30, with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Dec. 1.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "Pippin" with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (of "Wicked" and "Godspell" fame) and book by Roger O. Hirson.

ESU's 64th season of Summer Theatre concludes with Krista (Funky Mama) Eyler's "Moo Juice: The Musical" July 25-28.

Emporia State Summer Theatre presents "Suite Surrender" by Michael McKeever.

Emporia State University's 64th season of Summer Theatre continues June 27-30 with "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon.

Emporia State University Theatre presents "9 to 5, The Musical" by Patricia Resnick with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.

The 64th season of Emporia State University Summer Theatre kicks off with "A Dog's Life," a warmhearted new musical that chronicles the joys and challenges of dog ownership.