The Crucible's cast and crew pose for company shot after final dress rehearsal.

University Theatre

Tickets are now on sale for URINETOWN, the Musical, Feb. 23-26.

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

Urinetown tickets on sale now!

AUDITIONS: Muse and She Kills Monsters
Friday, Feb. 3 | 7pm

The WRIGHT Way: WHAT WE GREW UP WITH by Kiran Soma (Reading)
Friday, Feb. 10 | 7pm

OUT LOUD: LIGHT OF JUPITER by Mackenzie Cayco (Reading)
Friday, Feb. 17 | 7pm

URINETOWN, the Musical
Thursday-Sunday, Feb. 23-26, 2023

About Urinetown…

Tune in to WHUPFM dot O R G, Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5pm for interview with Danica Jackson.

It’s time for Light’s Up!

Join “Urinetown, the Musical” director Danica Jackson live for a talk with Wayne Leonard, host of WHUP-FM’s Lights Up! this Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5pm. Danica will be featured in the 5:30pm time slot.

Tune in this Wednesday at 5pm

Mackenzie Cayco, Creative Artist Award honorable mention for "Light of Jupiter"

The WRIGHT Way: WHAT WE GREW UP WITH by Kiran Soma

Set in the United States post 9/11, it follows an immigrant family and their experiences navigating racism, xenophobia, and estrangements. A sentimental drama, What We Grew Up With highlights issues that touch aspects of all of our lives and displays the importance of making real progress on inclusion and belonging.

Winner of the 2023 Arts NC State Creative Artist Award – Theatre category.

Fri., Feb. 10, 7pm
Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre

OUT LOUD: LIGHT OF JUPITER by Mackenzie Cayco

This one-act celestial dramedy follows Equuleus, embodiment of the Little Horse constellation, as they descend to earth to recover Sirius from the earthly realm. Cosmic beings fall upon our campus and meet an array of quirky and lovable students who help them in unexpected ways.

Light of Jupiter was written by NC State student Mackenzie Cayco and received honorable mention in the 2023 Arts NC State Creative Artist Award – Theatre category.

Fri., Feb. 17, 7pm
Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre

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).

Check back for other in-person and telephone sales windows.

Purchase tickets or register here

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 direct your own life-changing experience!

Explore the ways you can be involved

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

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!

Representative graphic for winners of the Creative Artist award for theatre.

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….

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!

Feb 10

Friday7:00 PM

The WRIGHT Way: What We Grew Up With by Kiran Soma

Feb 17

Friday7:00 PM

Out Loud: Light of Jupiter by Mackenzie Cayco

Feb 23

Thursday7:30 PM

Urinetown, the Musical

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

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
The final play presentations from TheatreFEST ’22 and October 1, and Nov. 5 editions. See works written by Satya Paramita, Emily Chiola, Christian O’Neal, Allison Fradkin, Gus Allen, George Jack, Kaitlan C. Farrior, Ter Chavez, and Brody McCurdy.

View Series Archives

Cover image for Strictly Speaking video series archive