Production is at the very center of our award-winning theatre program. Each season UAA theatre produces plays on its convertible thrust Mainstage, and many one act or full-length plays in the student directed second stage program.

The plays are cast at open auditions and more than 100 majors, non-majors, and members of the community are involved in our season each year.

Theatre

The Language of Trees October 7 - October 24, 2011 The lives of a young woman and her son are turned upside down when she learns that her husband a civilian American translator working in a Middle East combat zone, has been taken as a hostage by extremists. Enter a well-intentioned but overbearing neighbor who tries to se their world right, but at firt merely succeeds in exacerbating the young mother's pain while driving the boy into a fantasy world to try to find his lost father. In the end the three discover a value in neighborliness they never expected to find. The Language of Trees has been called "imaginative," "stylistically ambitious," "impressive," "heart tugging," and "riveting." This is your opportunity to come see why.
The Taming of the Shrew November 25 - December 11, 2011 Blossoming beauty Bianca can't get married until her cantankerous older sister Kate has tied the knot. but who can tame ill-tempered Kate? Petruchio takes on the challenge of domesticating the willful "shew," and finds he has a thorny task ahead of him. In the end, who will be tamed? Shakespeare's fiery masterpiece The Taming of the Shew is the quintessential battle-of-the-sexes comedy! Our modern interpretation promises rollicking high jinks and a hilarious peek into gender politics.
The Playboy of the Western World February 10 - February 26, 2012 Written in 1907, The Playboy of the Western World caused riots when it opened in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. Patriots considered it "a slander against the name of Ireland," and it was said that the police were called out on several occasions. At issue is a young boy, on the run, who enters a coastal Mayo town and is hailed a hero for, as he states, killing his father. While Synge would not state "whether it was a comedy, or tragedy, or extravaganza," or even if it had a purpose, he did say "I wrote the Playboy directly, as a piece of life, without thinking, without caring." Come discover why this lovely, lyric play, so full of authentic characters and unexpected plot twists, is now considered an Irish classic.
Bring Back the Sunshine March 30 - April 22, 2012 An exciting mix of puppets and live actors in an action-adventure filled with magic. The story follows Elena, our young heroine, who has to rescue her husband from the evil general. In the best tradition of all such adventures, she meets a host of characters that help her on her way and teach her the meaning of love and friendship. A treat for the whole family. The play will be filled with delightful new songs by Mari Hahn and Jon Minton.

Dance

The following Dance productions will be presented in 2011-2012. Dance Ensemble in Concert and New Dances 2011 are presented Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 6:00 pm.

Dance Ensemble in Concert November 4 - November 13, 2011 Featuring UAA Dance Ensemble in several works choreographed by internationally recognized guest artists and UAA Dance program faculty.
New Dances 2012 April 13 - April 22, 2012 This annual and popular event offers new choreography by UAA Dance program students, faculty, and guest artists.