Skip to main content
Arts NC State 
University Theatre
Image from Our Town with full cast.

University Theatre

Welcome to Our Town. An inclusive, student-centered community inspiring meaningful connections grounded in the experience of making and sharing theatre.

Engaging and Connecting Students in a Safe and Meaningful Way

Honoring
John C. McIlwee

It is not often life brings us someone as special, someone as talented, and someone as loved as John McIlwee. His inspiration to so many is made evident by the many cherished stories from his students, family, and friends. Many speak of how their lives were made better because of him, and University Theatre is no different.

John passed the morning of October 2 and although there will not be a funeral service, a celebration of life will be scheduled for the spring of 2023 in Stewart Theatre. The family requests no flowers but invites you to consider making a donation in his honor to the John C. McIlwee Theatre Endowment.

We invite you to hear John reflect on his 31 years with University Theatre in an article written at the time of his retirement.

John C. McIlwee Theatre Endowment 
John Reflects on 31 Years w/UT  
Honoring John C. McIlwee, former director of University Theatre

Up Next at UT

Tickets for The Crucible are currently on sale!
Oct. 20-30 nightly w/Sunday matinees

Urinetown, the Musical Audition Orientation
Monday, Oct. 24 | 7pm

Urinetown, the Musical Auditions
Tues/Wed, Nov. 1-2, 7pm

Purchase Crucible Tickets 
Audition Information 
Students signing up during beginning of the year open house event

Get Involved

If you have lot’s of theatre experience or none; lots of spare time to limited availability; there’s a place for you here, at University Theatre!

Onstage, backstage, workshops, classes, scene shop, costume shop, lighting and sound shop, and more. Here you will find a creative, supportive and thriving community where you are free to cast your own life-changing experience!

Explore the ways you can be involved 

Upcoming Auditions

Aspiring to inclusive casting that reflects our world and our community, auditions are open to all currently enrolled NC State students regardless of gender, race, ability, or identity.

Read more 
October 2022 cast of QuickSCRIPTS.

QuickSCRIPTS

Join us for our next round of 10-minute plays, written, cast, and produced in 72-hours, Saturday, November 5 at 8pm.

Read more about QuickSCRIPTS 
Tickets. Admit one.

Central Ticketing

Purchase tickets and register for University Theatre Producing and Studio Series events all in one convenient location. Online sales and registration links go live one month in advance of each offering at 10:00am (unless otherwise noted).

Special “in-person” sales dates will be announced throughout the season. Don’t miss them. Check back often!

Purchase tickets or register here 
student ushers pose during break at University Theatre

Student Employment

Need to work while at State? University Theatre has tech and front-of-house positions available on our Event Operations team. Check out the student employment page for details and to apply.

Employment opportunities at UT 

Onstage at University Theatre | 2022-23 Producing Series

More Info 

More Info 

More Info 

More Info 

The Studio Series

OUT LOUD –
Script Reading Series

Get together to read new works by new playwrights for a new experience. Participants choose to read or sit in on the reading. Stay tuned as the new works are announced and for how you can get involved — out loud!

Read more 
Graphic for production of Muse by Gaven Bell

The WRIGHT Way –
Script Development Series

A series of readings, workshops, and masterclasses whose primary focus is supporting winners of the Creative Artist Award through the development of their award-winning plays — the right way….

Register to be part of the process 

QuickSCRIPTS

Four playwrights (given a prompt). Four directors. Four casts. 72 hours to put a 10-minute play on stage before a live audience. A highlight of this summer’s TheatreFEST, we will do it again.

Explore the ways you can be involved 
See the full University Theatre season. Get tickets and information!

Upcoming Events

All Events
Oct 17

Monday10:00 AM

QuickSCRIPTS Registration Opens
Oct 20

Thursday7:30 PM

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible To Open University Theatre Season
Oct 21

Friday7:30 PM

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible To Open University Theatre Season

Need a space for your next event?

University Theatre’s Event Operations team manages and operates spaces in Frank Thompson Hall, and Stewart Theatre located in Talley Student Union.

Thompson Hall is home to the 192 seat Titmus Theatre, and 103 seat Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre — production shops, a rehearsal hall, and classrooms.

Reserve a Space 
Frank Thompson Hall. Home of Titmus and Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatres.
Stewart Theatre north entrance and pre-function area
Stewart Theatre north entrance, 3rd floor Talley Student Union.

Video Archive

Strictly Speaking Series
Conversations with professional theatre makers who speak about their work, their industry and their journey in the arts.

How-to-Theatre Series
Video lessons in various production techniques that work beyond the walls of the theatre. Lessons span general items such as woodworking, sewing, makeup, welding, audio, scenic painting, embroidery, audio recording, and CNC router use.

QuickSCRIPTS – Summer Series
The final play presentations from TheatreFEST ’22. See works written by Christian O’Neal, Allison Fradkin, Gus Allen, and George Jack.

View Series Archives 
Cover image for Strictly Speaking video series archive