University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts

Last week, "Barberman: The Alexander Clark Story" by Iowa Playwrights Workshop graduate Cianon Jones premiered at Muscatine Community College, featuring actors from both our undergraduate and graduate programs!

Commissioned by the Stanley Center’s Global Education Program and the Muscatine Art Center, the play honors Alexander Clark, a pivotal figure in Iowa history. Barberman explores defining moments of Clark’s life, weaving together his personal journey and public fight for justice.

👏 Congratulations to the cast, crew, and creative team who brought this important story to the stage!

Tune in this Sunday to the Tony Awards! 🎭

Iowa Playwrights Workshop alum Samuel D. Hunter (MFA ’07) is up for Best Play at the 79th Annual Tony Awards for Little Bear Ridge Road and everyone here in the Theatre Arts Department is cheering him on! 👏

📺 Watch live on CBS or stream on Paramount+
⏰ 8:00–11:00 PM ET / 5:00–8:00 PM PT

Last year, the Stanley Center’s Global Education Program and the Muscatine Art Center commissioned Iowa Playwrights Workshop student Cianon Jones to write a play about Alexander Clark. Following a successful staged reading last spring and with the support of additional sponsors, the full play—titled Barberman: The Alexander Clark Story—is premiering in June!

Featuring a full set, lighting, and costumes designed by University of Iowa theatre graduate students, the production will showcase eight actors telling Clark’s story. The play, directed by Michael C. Flores, will be performed June 12–14, 2026, at Muscatine Community College.

Reserve your ticket and learn more about the play at the link in the comments below. This is a free event with a suggested donation.

Friday, June 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM (followed by Q&A)
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM (no Q&A)
Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00 PM (followed by Q&A)
Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM (followed by Q&A)

Megan Gogerty, a 1997 graduate of our undergraduate theatre program, has been promoted to Full Professor of Instruction at the University of Iowa! Even more impressively, she has also received the Distinguished Professor of Instruction Award, which recognizes excellence in teaching and institutional service at the time of advancement.

Megan shared, she was “delighted and proud” of the promotion and “gobsmacked” by the award, crediting the colleagues she learns from every day. Her dedication to our students, teaching, and our university community is truly inspiring.

Please join us in congratulating Megan on this well-deserved recognition! 👏🎭

we are so cool and amazing 😎 💛 🖤

If you’re in LA (or planning a visit), don’t miss a chance to support one of our own!

2022 Iowa Theatre alum Greg Jones is currently appearing as Mr. Bennet in Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice with Rotation Theatre Company in Los Angeles, California through May 31.

If you're in the area snag a ticket or show your support in the comments below!

We're thrilled to congratulate Meredith G. Healy, Directing MFA candidate, on being awarded an Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the University Council on Teaching!

This university-wide award recognizes teaching assistants who have demonstrated outstanding teaching abilities at the University of Iowa, and Meredith is a deserving recipient. Congratulations, Meredith! 🎉

Congratulations, Chloe for a spectacular run with the Theatre Arts Department! We are so glad you found your way here from journalism to musical theatre 🎭 💛 🖤 We can't wait to see what you do next.

Read Chloe's reflection on her time at Iowa with The Daily Iowan at the link in the comments below.

Brian Quijada (2011 BA, Theatre) and his collaborator Nygel D. Robinson took home four Luciell Lortell Awards, including including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Director, Outstanding Lead Performer (Robinson), and Outstanding Sound Design, at the 41st annual Off-Broadway ceremony for their hip-hop musical Mexodus!

The hip-hop musical traces the stories of those who used the Underground Railroad to escape to Mexico, centering Black and Brown solidarity. Read the full list of winners at https://bit.ly/48JxOe7