SFA’s School of Theatre and Dance promotes exciting 2024-25 MainStage Season

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

Kickstarting the season is Bock’s “The Drunken City,” a wildly theatrical exploration of love, identity and the mystique of marriage. The play follows three 20-something brides-to-be on a bar crawl that turns their lives upside down. When one of them encounters a recently jilted handsome stranger, she begins to question her future, leading to a night of unexpected revelations and self-discovery. This dynamic and engaging play, set against the backdrop of a city that never sleeps, will be performed in the Flex Theatre, providing an intimate and immersive experience for audiences. The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3-5 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5-6.

“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 also includes two Danceworks performances and a showcase by the Repertory Dance Company. Danceworks is the senior choreographic concert in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Science in dance. The performance features choreography based on a wide range of research topics and dance genres chosen by senior choreographers. Additionally, the faculty concert contains the professional work of the dance faculty and select guest artists and is performed by the Repertory Dance Company. This concert exhibits multiple dance genres and the research interests of the faculty and guest artists. Select choreography from this concert will be presented at the American College Dance Association Conference for adjudication.

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