Programs from UMN Morris Theatre Discipline and Meiningens productions.
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Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, April 17-18, 2026
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline production of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes; adapted by Kevin Kling; directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse is a play about Lilly, a young mouse who loves school and her teacher, Mr. Slinger. When she disrupts class to show off her new treasures, Mr. Slinger confiscates her items, leading Lilly to react with anger before learning to apologize and reconcile.
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Aftermath, February 12-14, 2026
Theatre Arts Discipline
Morris Meiningens Performing Arts Collective production of Aftermath, by Mikennah Oleson; directed by Parker Stach.
Synopsis: Aftermath is a show about the end of the world. Aftermath is sad, it is scary, it is uncertain. But beyond that, Aftermath is about love and the resilience and strength of human connection, despite the obstacles that pull us apart. It’s a reminder of the most valuable traits that bind humans no matter who they are or where they come from.
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Terminator: the Musical, Oct. 30-Nov. 8, 2025
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline production of Terminator: the Musical by Breanna Bietz; directed by Lucas Granholm.
Synopsis: Fueled by pulsing synths, dripping in chrome, and armed with absurdity, this sci fi rock spectacle makes its explosive Midwest premiere on the George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre stage. This is not just a musical, it is a full throttle theatrical detonation of action, comedy, and radioactive camp.
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Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, April 11-12, 2025
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook, based on the books Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook and Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren by Barbara Park, adapted by Allison Gregory, directed by Michael Oberton.
Synopsis: This play follows kindergartener Junie B. Jones as she navigates school drama after her new, fuzzy mittens are stolen. When she finds a fancy multi-colored pen, she faces a moral dilemma: keep it ("finders keepers") or return it, while also managing a crush on a new boy, Handsome Warren.
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The Outsider, October 24-26, 2024
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline production of The Outsider by Paul Slade-Smith; directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: The charismatic governor of Massachusetts has been caught in a lie about his affair with the runner-up of a beauty pageant. In the wake of his immediate removal, his mild-mannered lieutenant governor, Ned Newley is catapulted to the big office. Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be Governor. He’s terrified of public speaking; his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive Chief of Staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But, political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for… the worst candidate to ever run for office. A completely incompetent temporary receptionist on her first day on the job manages to tangle the situation even further.
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Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, November 9-11, 2023
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by Ray Schultz.
Synopsis: Written in 1879 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House is a three-act play about a housewife who becomes disillusioned and dissatisfied with her condescending husband.
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Charlotte's Web, April 14-15, 2023
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris children's theatre production of Charlotte's Web, based on the book by E.B. White, adapted by Joseph Robinette, directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: Charlotte's Web is a classic children's novel about a pig named Wilbur who is saved from slaughter by a wise spider named Charlotte. Charlotte spins messages in her web praising Wilbur, convincing the farmer he is special. Through friendship and sacrifice, Charlotte saves Wilbur before passing away, leaving behind a legacy of love.
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Miss Electricity, April 22-23, 2022
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline production of Miss Electricity, by Kathryn Walat; directed by Hannah Amundson.
Synopsis: Ten-year-old Violet is determined to show the world, and the cool kids at school, just how special she is by beating a world record. But when she is struck by lightning twice, she becomes Miss Electricity. Now in control of everything electric will this power go to her head?
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William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, November 14-16, 2019
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline production of Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare; directed by Ray Schultz.
Synopsis: Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is a tragedy following the conspiracy to assassinate the Roman leader, driven by fears of his growing ambition.
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, April 10-17, 2019
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota Morris Theatre Discipline production of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by Jacqueline E. Lawton; based on the novel by L. Frank Baum; directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is an adventurous, heartwarming tale about Dorothy, a girl from Kansas who travels through a magical land after a cyclone. Alongside the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, she faces dangers like witches and flying monkeys to reach the Emerald City, learning the value of friendship, courage, and self-belief.
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Spring Awakening, November 1-4, 2017
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Spring Awakening, book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, based on the play by Frank Wedekind, and directed by Ray Schultz.
Synopsis: Set in late 19th-century Germany, the musical tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of adolescent sexuality. In the musical, alternative rock is employed as part of the folk-infused rock score.
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Bent, February 6-8, 2014
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Bent by Martin Sherman and directed by Deon Haider.
Synopsis: Bent is a story of living versus survival. It concerns Max, a gay "wheeler-dealer" who leads a dissolute life of drink, drugs, and sporadic sex in prewar Berlin. One night he and his lover Rudy pick up the wrong man--someone who's on the Nazi's wanted list. Max and Rudy are forced to flee Berlin and live underground. Ultimately they are arrested, and sent to Dachau. En route, Rudy is murdered, but Max survives with the help of a "pink triangle" prisoner, Horst.
Once in Dachau, Max makes a deal to wear a Jewish star, therefore avoiding the pink triangle, the badge of the "lowest," the homosexual. He arranges for Horst to be on his work detail, doing pointless and exhausting--but not dangerous--labor. As time goes by, they fall in love. They become lovers through their imagination, and through their words. When Horst is threatened, Max understands, at last, that life is more than mere survival.
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Twelfth Night, November 7-9, 2013
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare and directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: Twelfth Night—an allusion to the night of festivity preceding the Christian celebration of the Epiphany—combines love, confusion, mistaken identities, and joyful discovery.After the twins Sebastian and Viola survive a shipwreck, neither knows that the other is alive. Viola goes into service with Count Orsino of Illyria, disguised as a young man, "Cesario." Orsino sends Cesario to woo the Lady Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia falls in love with Cesario. Viola, in the meantime, has fallen in love with Orsino.At the estate of Lady Olivia, Sir Toby Belch, Olivia’s kinsman, has brought in Sir Andrew Aguecheek to be her suitor. A confrontation between Olivia's steward, Malvolio, and the partying Toby and his cohort leads to a revenge plot against Malvolio. Malvolio is tricked into making a fool of himself, and he is locked in a dungeon as a lunatic. In the meantime, Sebastian has been rescued by a sea captain, Antonio. When Viola, as Cesario, is challenged to a duel, Antonio mistakes her for Sebastian, comes to her aid, and is arrested. Olivia, meanwhile, mistakes Sebastian for Cesario and declares her love. When, finally, Sebastian and Viola appear together, the puzzles around the mistaken identities are solved: Cesario is revealed as Viola, Orsino asks for Viola’s hand, Sebastian will wed Olivia, and Viola will marry Count Orsino. Malvolio, blaming Olivia and others for his humiliation, vows revenge.
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An Evening of One Acts, April 25-27, 2013
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Legend by Floyd Dell and directed by Ian Donahue; Time Flies by David Ives and directed by Will Hanson; The Visitor by Dean Laccohee and directed by Dean Haider.
Synopsis: Legend- Luciano has a present for Donna Violante. The gift is actually from her husband - a mirror he found in the catacombs. Luciano keeps her from seeing it because he wants to talk his love for her. He begs her to leave her husband. Faced with rejection, Luciano leaves. When Donna finally looks at the mirror, her life changes.
Time Flies- Two lonely but sweet young mayflies meet at a pond and really hit it off. Unfortunately, Horace and May watch a nature program on this first night out and discover they have a lifespan of only one day—and their lives are half over.
The Visitor- A patient gives his psychiatrist a few problems by claiming to come from a distant planet. His belief can't be shaken, and worse, he says the world is going to end very soon. Will Dr Collinghurst accept his offer of a ride on his spaceship, or at least ask Nurse Elizabeth out before Doomsday?
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The King Stag, April 12-13, 2013
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of The King Stag by Carlo Gozzi adapted by Sylvia Ashby and directed by Kathy Ray.
Synopsis King Stag takes place in a theatre where we see the kingdom of Serendippo appear before our eyes with the help of the great and magnificent wizard, Durandarte. At issue is the wish of King Deramo to find an honest woman to be his queen. He does so with the help of the wizard's invention, a statue whose smiles can alert the king to lies and dishonesty. Unfortunately, his prime minister, Tartaglia, wickedly undermines his trust, his government and his marriage. Arlecchino, the zany clown, conducts us through Serendippo, where we are treated to surprising transformations. Deramo can be the king one moment and the stag the next; Tartaglia, the evil counselor, can turn himself into the king; and magical sprites turn into animals in the enchanted forest of Roncislappe. Paranoia threatens to unravel the whole kingdom, especially through the inept maneuvering of Capitano Spavento (head of the secret service) and his two henchmen, Cric and Crac. In the midst of this, romantic love blossoms between King Deramo and Angela, comic love between Leandro and Clarice, and farcical love between Arlecchino and Smeraldina. And it is love that emerges triumphant in this riveting and hilarious comic fantasy.
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God of Carnage, February 7-9, 2013
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza and directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, God of Carnage relates an evening in the lives of two couples, residents of a tony Brooklyn neighborhood, who meet to discuss a playground incident. Alan and Annette’s son hit Michael and Veronica’s son in the face with a stick, resulting in two broken teeth. The four of them agree to discuss the incident civilly, but, as the night wears on and drinks are imbibed, the polite veneer breaks down. The couples initially spar against each other, but the men gang up on the women and the spouses switch sides as the fighting continues. Reza’s play suggests that our civilized trappings do a poor job of hiding our venality and bile.
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The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, November 1-3, 2012
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, Stephen Belber and directed by Ray Schultz.
Synopsis: On October 7, 1998, a young gay man was discovered bound to a fence outside Laramie, Wyoming, savagely beaten and left to die in an act of brutality and hate that shocked the nation. Matthew Shepard’s death became a national symbol of intolerance, but for the people of the town, the event was deeply personal. In the aftermath, Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie and conducted more than 200 interviews with its citizens. From the transcripts, the playwrights constructed an extraordinary chronicle of life in the town after the murder.
In The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, the troupe revisits the town a decade after the tragedy, finding a community grappling with its legacy and its place in history. The two plays together comprise an epic and deeply moving theatrical cycle that explores the life of an American town over the course a decade.
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Medea, April 26-28, 2012
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Medea by Euripides, translated by Frederic Raphael & Kenneth McLeish and directed by Lynn Bixler.
Synopsis: In a continuation of the stories of Jason and the Argonauts, foreign princess and sorceress Medea has murdered her own father to help Jason win the Golden Fleece and the kingdom of Thessaly. They have married and have two sons. Now in ancient Corinth, Medea is told that Jason will be marrying the Corinthian princess. The King of Corinth, anticipating her wrath, sends her into exile. She plans revenge against Jason and negotiates safe haven with the naïve King of Athens. Through her magic, she kills the Corinthian king and princess, Jason’s intended, and, in a final act of vengeance, kills her two sons by Jason. She escapes justice, taken to the sky on the back of a chariot, with the bodies of her children. One of ancient Greek drama’s most famous plays, The Medea resonates with audiences through emotionally charged characters placed in impossible circumstances, constrained by their social, political, gender, and familial roles.
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Blance and Beyond: Letters of Tennessee Williams, March 1-2, 2012
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Blanche and Beyond: Letters of Tennessee Williams adapted by Steve Lawson and performed by Ray Schultz.
Synopsis: Blanche and Beyond is the stage sequel to A Distant Country Called Youth. While the first play traced the evolution of a young man finding his artistic voice, Blanche and Beyond spans the peak of Williams' career - the period of Streetcar, Rose Tattoo, Summer and Smoke, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - and explores a no-longer obscure playwright facing the seismic shock of international fame.
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The Emperor's New Clothes, March 30-31, 2012
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of The Emperor’s New Clothes by Blanche Marvin and directed by Shaune Wunder.
Synopsis: A parody of medieval morality plays, this delightful version of the classic tale incorporates comedy traditions from Moliere to Giraudoux.
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No Placed Called Home, February 24, 2012
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of No Place Called Home by Kim Schultz and directed by Sarah Cameron Sunde.
Synopsis: No Place Called Home is an unexpected story—a story about an American woman and an Iraqi man, a story about one refugee out of millions, a story that isn’t supposed to be a love story.
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Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, December 9-10, 2011
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moisés Kaufman and directed by Jessie Sherman.
Synopsis: In early 1895, the Marquess of Queensberry, the father of Wilde's young lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, left a card at Wilde's club bearing the phrase "posing somdomite." Wilde sued the Marquess for criminal libel. The defense denounced Wilde's art and literature as immoral, leading the prosecuting attorney to declare, "It would appear that what is on trial is not Lord Queensberry but Mr. Wilde's art!" In the end Queensberry was acquitted, and evidence that had been gathered against Wilde compelled the Crown to prosecute him for "gross indecency with male persons." With Wilde's arrest, his hit plays running in London's West End were forced to close, and Wilde was reduced to penury. A second trial ended in a hung jury with Wilde's impassioned defense of "the love that dare not speak its name," prompting a third trial. In the third and decisive trial, Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment at hard labor. He was separated forever from his wife and children, and wrote very little for the rest of his life. In addition to Wilde, Douglas and Queensberry, characters ranging from Queen Victoria to London's rent boys, to a present-day academic are assembled to explore how history is made and how it can be so timely revisited in the theatre.
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Anything Goes, November 16-19, 2011
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Anything Goes by Cole Porter and directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: The S. S. American is sailing between New York and England with a comically colorful assemblage of passengers: Reno Sweeney, a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist, her pal Billy Crocker, a lovelorn Wall Street broker who has come aboard to try to win the favor of his beloved Hope Harcourt (who is engaged to another passenger, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh), and a second-rate conman named Moonface Martin, aka “Public Enemy #13.” Song, dance, and farcical antics ensue as Reno and Moonface try to help Billy win the love of his life.
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Sophie and the Adventures of Ice Island, April 15-16, 2011
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Sophie and the Adventures of Ice Island by Forrest Musselman and directed by Siobhan Bremer.
Synopsis: Sophie always wanted to be a superhero, so when her homemade sail boat travels to Ice Island, Sophie gets a chance to save the island from melting. Can she be the hero or will the Dark Figure and his minion of penguins stop her? This play received its world premiere at the University of Minnesota-Morris and was also shown on local PBS stations: Pioneer TV and KMSQ.
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Recent Tragic Events, February 10-12, 2011
Theatre Arts Discipline
University of Minnesota, Morris production of Recent Tragic Eventsf by Craig Wright and directed by Alex McGreavey.
Synopsis: It is September 12th, 2001; the setting is the Minneapolis apartment of Waverly, a young advertising executive. Soon to venture on a blind date amidst the television news coverage of the September 11th attacks, Waverly becomes preoccupied when she discovers that her twin sister, Wendy, a student in New York, has not been heard from. Waverly reassures herself that Wendy had no reason to be at the World Trade Center. As the evening unfolds, Waverly and her blind date, Andrew, an airport bookstore manager, realize that they are connected by a succession of bizarre coincidences. As Waverly awaits word on Wendy, the date is complicated by visits from her crazed-musician neighbor, Ron, and his girlfriend, Nancy, and a startling visit from Waverly's great aunt, Joyce Carol Oates—played by a sock puppet.