Fine and Performing Arts

The Department of Theatre presents our Spring Season with a rousing selection of comedy, musical theatre, and reinventions of classic fairy tales. In February, Dr. John Warrick, Coordinator of the Directing & Dramaturgy program, directs the the spy thriller parody The 39 Steps, a comedic sendup of Hitchcockian mysteries and film noir romance. Featuring ensemble members Lily Barger, Meaghan Burton, Josette Falzone, Gabrielle Kaprak, Brandon Luna, and Emma Schmalz, and assistant directed by Lola Furbee, the play features designs by students Marc Loftus, Abby Mascal, and Daniel Sarmiento. Momoka Hirano and Aidan McGuire assist faculty designers, with Prof. Julane Sullivan on costumes, Prof. Brian Redfern on scenic, and guest artist Dan Friedman on lighting. Kenny Miller and Cheya Bishop stage manage a frenetic adventure featuring almost 150 characters. The 39 Steps runs February 13-16 in Madden Theatre, with tickets available at the North Central Box Office. 

In March in Meiley-Swallow Hall, guest director Landree Fleming and guest music director Ellie Kahn direct Sondheim’s classic Assassins, assistant directed by Directing & Dramaturgy majors Nathan Dittemore and Jake Keller. Madalynn Travnicek assistant music directs, and Ari Watts and Cameron Andrea stage manage, with guest artist scenic designer Milo Bue, Fine Arts staff sound designer Andrew Butler, and Theatrical Design and Technology majors Alyson Meyers and Brighton Liese on costumes and lights, with Noora Kassem on props design. The cast features Rowan Brando, Sam Doyle,  Autumn Dunn, Marina Jòkanović, Riley Knoop, Raine Lanoue, Siobhan McNulty, Karen Ono, Gabriela Sorrentino, and Olivia Wegner. 

The season closes with our Storefront Series play, The Serpent Lady, selected to be performed as part of the mainstage season. As part of a collaborative capstone process modeling the famed storefront theatre practice of Chicago, students lead a performance under faculty mentorship, from pitch to performance. A commedia dell'arte fantasy, this modern translation of Carlo Gozzi’s work The Serpent Lady creates a magical comedic world of faeries, mortals, and the triumphs and tragedies of love. Senior Kelly Ahr directs, with Beatrice Harbaugh stage managing, Ashton Miller scenic designing, Marc Loftus costume designing, Aidan McGuire lighting designing, Gabby Sorrentino sound designing, and Oran Wilkins prop designing. Featuring Lily Barger, Sara Bendel, Maris Blomberg, Jaydon Brown, Ryan Castiglia, Madeline Cuttle, Blessed Fabellon, Josette Falzone, Megan Jaax, Chloe Ossman, and Grace Rolston performing.

All majors are welcome to audition for or to apply for design, tech, and crew work in Department of Theatre productions! Email department chairperson, Dr. Laura Lodewyck lalodewyck@noctrl.edu, with interest. Students of all majors can also take classes in directing, design, technology, dance, and performing and can gain general education credit alongside their training. Our Theatre majors are the next generation of artists in Chicago and beyond, and we welcome you to experience them performing, designing, and directing now, right here in Naperville, as part of our extraordinary theatrical season.