Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Theatre and Dance has announced its highly anticipated 2024-25 MainStage season, featuring a diverse lineup of productions that promise to engage, entertain and inspire audiences. This season will showcase Adam Bock’s “The Drunken City,” Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers,” Seamus Sullivan’s “Brother Mario,” a sensational musical theatre offering, and the inaugural New Original Works Festival, alongside the annual Danceworks performances and the Repertory Dance Company showcase.
“The Drunken City” by Adam Bock
![Last year's School of Theatre and Dance presentation of "The 39 Steps" was a crowd-pleaser. This year's MainStage season features another diverse lineup of productions that promise to engage, entertain and inspire audiences.](http://everythingnac.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/39.jpg)
Last year’s School of Theatre and Dance presentation of “The 39 Steps” was a crowd-pleaser. This year’s MainStage season features another diverse lineup of productions that promise to engage, entertain and inspire audiences.
“The Three Musketeers” adapted by Ken Ludwig
Continuing the season is Ludwig’s acclaimed adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ “The Three Musketeers.” This timeless tale of heroism, treachery, close escapes and honor is brought to life with Ludwig’s signature blend of comedy and drama. Critics have hailed this adaptation as the finest ever written, capturing the essence of Dumas’ classic novel while adding a fresh and entertaining twist. Audiences can expect thrilling sword fights, clever banter and a story that resonates with the themes of loyalty and friendship. This production will also be held in the Flex Theatre, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the adventurous world of the Musketeers. The show is at 10 a.m. Nov. 14-15; at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-16; and at 2 p.m. Nov. 16-17. Seating for the Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. high school matinees are limited; reservations should be made well in advance.
“Brother Mario” by Seamus Sullivan
This unique and introspective play follows Mario, a plumber with a gift for jumping, as he grapples with the existential crisis of repeatedly saving Princess Peach from Bowser. As Mario begins to question the purpose of his endless adventures, he and his friends are forced to confront the specter of their own mortality. This thought-provoking production will be performed in the Flex Theatre, offering a new perspective on familiar characters and themes. The play is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20-22 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 22-23.
New Original Works Festival
The season continues with the inaugural New Original Works Festival, a celebration of creativity and innovation. This event will feature selected plays, dances and devised pieces created and produced by students from SFA’s School of Theatre and Dance. Performed in the intimate Black Box Theatre located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, the festival will showcase the talents and artistic visions of the next generation of theatre and dance professionals. The festival is at 7:30 p.m. April 10-12 and at 2 p.m. April 12-13.
School of Theatre and Dance in Concert presents: “Into the Woods”
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, “Into the Woods” unravels the fairy tales made popular by the Grimm Brothers. As a baker and his barren wife venture through the woods to reverse a curse placed on them by an evil witch, they run into Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack, two princes, the Big Bad Wolf and Rapunzel in one of the most innovative, original and astounding retellings musical theatre has seen. “Into the Woods” was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and was winner of Best Score and Best Book. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. April 25-26 and at 2 p.m. April 26, in the Flex Theatre.
Danceworks performances and Repertory Dance Company
![The 2024-25 season of Stephen F. Austin State University's School of Theatre and Dance will include two Danceworks performances and a concert by the Repertory Dance Company.](http://everythingnac.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2-1.jpg)
The 2024-25 season of Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Theatre and Dance will include two Danceworks performances and a concert by the Repertory Dance Company.
The fall Danceworks runs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14-15 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 16-17 in the Dance Performance Studio. The Repertory Dance Company in concert is at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13-14 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 15 in Turner Auditorium. The spring Danceworks is at 7:30 p.m. April 10-11 and at 2 p.m. April 12-13, Dance Performance Studio.
Tickets for the 2024-25 MainStage season will be available for purchase starting Sept. 3. For more information on ticket prices, performance dates and how to purchase tickets, visit the SFA School of Theatre and Dance website, or contact the box office at (936) 468-6407 or the SFA Box Office website.
ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
By Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information