North Central College Theatre Department

The NCC Theatre Dept is hard at work on our second show of the semester! The Grownups.

The play follows a group of young camp counselors as they navigate friendships and the realities of leaving childhood, while they move through a world that hasn’t quite prepared them for what comes next… meanwhile, something in the woods might be getting closer. Part ghost story and part dark comedy, the play was originally produced outside by a campfire in 2020.

"The Grownups"
Directed by Dr. Laura Lodewyck

📸 by:

📅 3/26 - 28 at 7:30pm and 3/28 - 29 at 2pm

📍 Meiley Swallow Hall

🎟️ Tickets available at the link in bio for 14$

The North Central College Department of Theatre is thrilled to present the immersive campfire drama “The Grown-Ups”, which follows a group of young camp counselors as they navigate friendships and the realities of leaving childhood, while they move through a world that hasn’t quite prepared them for what comes next… meanwhile, something in the woods might be getting closer. Part ghost story and part dark comedy, the play was originally produced outside by a campfire in 2020. Written by Simon Henriques and Skylar Fox and directed by Laura Lodewyck and assistant directed by Directing & Dramaturgy majors Lola Furbee and Oran Wilkins, the play runs March 26-29 in Meiley-Swallow Theatre.

Megan Jaax (Maeve u/s) says: “People should come and see this show because not only is it funny but it also has a great story that really pulls you in. It makes you feel like you’re with the characters in the show.” Nick Ilo (Lukas) says that the play “shows how fast a world can turn into chaos...Yet, it demonstrates how people can come together to try to tackle the issue, even when they don’t feel ready for it.” As Raine Lanoue (Aidan) describes, “This play doesn’t point fingers from above. It’s right in the mess with us. “We’re all tired,” it says. “What now?” Not often do I encounter art that captures the spirit of absurdity, radicalization, and danger without feeling disingenuous or out-of-touch, but “The Grown-Ups” has its finger on the pulse. It’s nice to see a play talk and act as we do.” 

“The Grown-Ups” runs:
Thurs March 26, Fri March 27, and Sat March 28, at 7:30PM 
Sat March 28 and Sun March 29, at 2PM
📍Theatre at Meiley-Swallow
 
🎟️ Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/show. 
Pricing: $14, free for NCC students, faculty, and staff with ID

Two more chances to see, Here I Stay: A Story of Belonging, directed by Cindy Hartigan and devised by the ensemble of Ari Watts, Giuliana Lorenzini, Sofia Raices, and Sabrina Zbylut.

📅 TONIGHT at 7pm and Sunday 2/28 at 2pm

📸 by:

Lighting Designed by M Paige and Assistant Designed by Aidan McGuire, Here I Stay physicalizes the exploration of affinity and acceptance.

📍 Pffiefer Hall

🎟️ More information available in our bio

Come see “Here I Stay” opening this weekend!!!

The Department of Theatre continues a varied and exciting Spring 2026 Season with an original devised dance production, Here I Stay: A Story of Belonging, directed by Cindy Hartigan and devised by the ensemble of Ari Watts, Giuliana Lorenzini, Sofia Raices, and Sabrina Zbylut. Lighting Designed by M Paige and Assistant Designed by Aidan McGuire, Here I Stay physicalizes the exploration of affinity and acceptance. Ensemble member Sofia Raices says “it’s not a typical dance showcase that is heavily choreographed. Audiences have the opportunity to experience an abstract version of dance from our perspectives. Here I Stay is all about finding your place in life.” Giuliana Lorenzini says the experience opened up creativity and personal improvisation: “This show isn’t what you think of when you think of a dance show. It’s more nuanced and deeper, and all the pieces are so personal to all the dancers…we all came together to create something cohesive.” The show, which runs in Pfeiffer Hall Feb 28 and March 1, uses elements like bubbles and hula hoops to create a sense of joy and collaboration. As Ari Watts says, “While our show can be interpreted in a variety of ways, I hope that our audience can come away with a sense of warmth and childlike wonder.” 
 
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/show. 
 
Here I Stay runs:
Sat, Feb 28 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. 
Sun, March 1 at 2:00 p.m. 

Performed on Pfeiffer Hall Stage 
Pricing: $14, free for NCC students, faculty, and staff with ID

Let’s celebrate Day of Giving! Although Day of Giving is February 26th we are celebrating early with access to our fundraiser! Donations opened Feb 21st and close Feb 27th!

Our 2026 Day of Giving supports theatrical productions such as Spring 2026’s EVERYBODY THRASHING, a new play with music about the Dancing Plague of 1518; THE GROWN-UPS, an evocative and immersive play originally produced around a backyard campfire; HERE I STAY, an original devised dance piece about belonging; and the Student Storefront Series musical RENT. 

We are reaching for a goal of $5,256, to support the completion of our dream of a dedicated Costume Shop in Pfeiffer Hall, which is currently under construction!

Donate here!
🔗: https://give.northcentralcollege.edu/schools/NorthCentralCollege/day-of-giving-2026/pages/theatre

All help is greatly appreciated by each and every one of us, we hope you continue to support our love for NCC theatre!

Please consider donating to the Department of Theatre for Day of Giving! 🎭👗👚🧥👕👔

MEET THE MOVEMENT COORDINATOR of “Everybody Thrashing” , opening TONIGHT!! Over the past few weeks, this very talented individual has worked countless hours alongside the rest of the team to bring incredible movement to this new original production. Come see their work in Madden Theatre, beginning TODAY at 7:30 p.m.!

It’s 1518. July. Strasbourg. A woman begins to dance. She cannot stop. Over the next two months, around 400 people will join her. Roughly a fourth will dance until they die. This is the Dancing Plague of 1518. In this new play with music incorporating original text, Medieval writings, and devised moments created by the ensemble, Everybody Thrashing explores this historical moment of group hysteria and how it connects with contemporary moments of group fervor, madness, and in some cases exaltation.

“Everybody Thrashing”
Directed and Devised by Jeremy Ohringer and Amelia Hefferon

📍Madden Theatre
171 Chicago Ave,
Naperville, IL 60540

📆 Performs February 19-21 at 7:30 p.m., February 21 and 22 at 2 p.m.

🎟️Tickets can be bought through the North Central College box office in the Wentz Concert Hall or through the link in our bio. $14 General admission.

MEET THE DESIGNERS of “Everybody Thrashing” , opening THIS WEEK!! Over the past few weeks, this invested team of designers have worked countless hours to bring this new original production to life and on stage. Come see their work in Madden Theatre, beginning on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m.!

It’s 1518. July. Strasbourg. A woman begins to dance. She cannot stop. Over the next two months, around 400 people will join her. Roughly a fourth will dance until they die. This is the Dancing Plague of 1518. In this new play with music incorporating original text, Medieval writings, and devised moments created by the ensemble, Everybody Thrashing explores this historical moment of group hysteria and how it connects with contemporary moments of group fervor, madness, and in some cases exaltation.

“Everybody Thrashing”
Directed and Devised by Jeremy Ohringer and Amelia Hefferon

📍Madden Theatre
171 Chicago Ave,
Naperville, IL 60540

📆 Performs February 19-21 at 7:30 p.m., February 21 and 22 at 2 p.m.

🎟️Tickets can be bought through the North Central College box office in the Wentz Concert Hall or through the link in our bio. $14 General admission.

Planning on attending opening night of The Moors tomorrow night? Attend our post-show talk-back with Director Dr. John Warrick, and English Department faculty Dr. Saul Kutnicki and Dr. Rebecca Stafford in a conversation about Victorian literature and tropes and Bronte! This special experience will only be happening tomorrow, so be sure to attend for great dramaturgical insights for both literature and theatre folks!

This thrilling production is interwoven with both comedic and dramatic moments and tells the story of two sisters living on the English Moors and their thirst for belonging, connection, and power. A governess arrives, and a talking Mastiff befriends a Moorhen, and this is where our story begins.

“The Moors”
Written by Jen Silverman
Directed by Dr. John Warrick

📍Madden Theatre
171 Chicago Ave,
Naperville, IL 60540

📆Performs October 30 - November 1 at 7:30 p.m.,
November 1 and 2 at 2 p.m.

🎟️Tickets can be bought through the North Central College box office in the Wentz Concert Hall. $14 General admission.