University of Utah Department of Theatre

This season is 🔥🔥🔥

CARRIE
Music by Michael Gore
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Book by Lawrence D. Cohen
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Director & Choreographer Erin Farrell Speer
Music Director Trevor Jex
Meldrum Theatre
October 2–11

Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it.

HAMLET
By William Shakespeare
Guest Director Jamie Rocha Allan
Voice & Text Coach Sarah Shippobotham
Babcock Theatre
November 13–22
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Events before the start of Hamlet set the stage for tragedy. When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlet’s father, suddenly dies, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king. “The play’s the thing…”

SWEET CHARITY
Book by Neil Simon
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Director & Choreographer David Eggers
Music Director Trevor Jex C**n
Meldrum Theatre
February 12–21

Hapless but unflappable Charity Hope Valentine desperately seeks love in New York City in the 1960s. In this exuberant, groovy, hilarious musical comedy, Charity tries again and again to find her dream and make something of herself. Famous for it’s Fosse-style choreography including production numbers like “Rich Man’s Frug,” “Hey, Big Spender,” “If They Could See Me Now,” and “I’m a Brass Band,” Sweet Charity is a delicious romp through 1960’s New York.

THE TWELVE (World Premiere)
Director Penelope Caywood
Kingsbury Hall
March 18-20

Some fairy tales ask you to wait for rescue. The Twelve is not that fairy tale. A new original musical inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Twelve is built in the tradition of contemporary ensemble musicals—emotionally driven and unapologetically of this moment.

In a kingdom where everyone is watched, ranked, and expected to perform perfection on demand, twelve sisters are spending their nights doing something the palace definitely didn’t authorize. When th

⭐️ Seeking Costume Shop Coordinator ⭐️

🔗 in bio

The Department of Theatre at the University of Utah—an active R1 institution with a rigorous annual production schedule of 5–6 shows—seeks a highly organized, collaborative, and hands-on Costume Shop Coordinator. This position plays a vital role in supporting the artistic and educational mission of the department by mentoring students, managing costume production processes, and ensuring the successful ex*****on of all costume-related aspects of departmental productions.

This position is integral to the success of the Department of Theatre’s production program and educational mission. The Costume Shop Coordinator & Production Support Specialist serves as both a skilled practitioner and dedicated mentor, ensuring students gain practical, hands-on experience while maintaining high production standards.

💉🩺💊STORIES OF WAR NURSES, Saturday, 5/16 @ 1 pm in the Babcock Theatre (in Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre)
Join us for this free reading & talkback featuring Veterans Deanna Nielsen, Bryan Moore, Pat Rushton and Judy Winkler
in collaboration with
Playwright Melissa Leilani Larson
Stage Manager Tahra Veasley 
Drama Therapist Anna Beck .dramatherapist
Director Alexandra Harbold
Lighting Designer James Padilla 
Sound Designer Jennifer Jackson
Producer Gage Williams 
Advisor Becky Zarate
(📸 Images courtesy of Judy Winkler)
 
Action-based community research, funded by NEA Creative Forces program and Office of the Vice President For Research (OVPR) and supported by U Theatre, the College of Fine Arts, and the Arts & Health Innovations Lab

We are thrilled to announce the dynamic works of our University of Utah Department of Theatre’s 26-27 season, which features iconic musical theatre titles and plays, ranging from Stephen King to Fosse, twelve angry jurors to twelve dancing princesses, Shakespeare’s Danish prince and Tom Stoppard’s secret genius. A quest to know and to belong threads through all of the titles. In reflecting on the core questions of the season, Selection Committee Chair and Associate Professor Alexandra Harbold referenced an email sign-off of actress Joyce Cohen, who among many other productions was in the film SLC Punk, “Esse quam videri” meaning "to be, rather than to seem."

Harbold said, “Our season is full of characters trying to make sense of the world around them and to stay true to their own inner compasses.”

We hope you’ll join us in the quest.

Carrie
Meldrum Theatre
October 2–11

12 Angry Jurors
Studio 15
October 30–November 3

Hamlet
Babcock Theatre
November 13–22

Sweet Charity
Meldrum Theatre
February 12–21

The Twelve (World Premiere)
Kingsbury Hall
March 18-20

Arcadia
Babcock Theatre
April 9–18

Department of Theatre, College of Fine Arts University of Utah - Our 26-27 line up: A season of quests for connection, justice, knowledge, and wonder The University of Utah Department of Theatre offer BFAs in Actor Training, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts Design, Stage Management, Theatre Teaching, and a BA in Theatre Studies. It consists of artists and scholars who provide academic training, engaged learning, and creative exploration.

Whoops, we spelled Alexa’s name wrong the first time, but there was too much love to delete, so we’re posting again! 🤗
 
Alexa Shaheen is the Department of Theatre’s 2026 College of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior!
 
🏫 Major: Musical Theatre BFA
 
💭 Three words that describe you: Passionate, Disciplined, Vibrant 
 
⭐ What inspires you: I remember my first exposure to music and theatre so vividly, and it changed my world forever. As a young person, seeing people up on stage showing such vulnerability, power, and animation, I felt my heart changing for the better. These experiences completely shaped me into who I am today as both a performer and a human, and I hope I can give back the same gift to audiences of all ages, but especially kids! In a world full of being told to be smaller or to succumb to expectations, I hope I can inspire young people to take up space, to dream big, to look silly, to sing out strong (and sometimes wrong), and grow into a kind and disciplined person while doing it.
 
🎉 Alexa was nominated for her academic achievements, artistic and scholarly accomplishments, and ongoing commitment to their craft.
 
Read about her many accomplishments, as well as those of the other CFA Outstanding Seniors at the link in our bio!
 

 

Alexa Shaheen is the Department of Theatre’s 2026 College of Fine Arts Outstanding Senior!
 
🏫 Major: Musical Theatre BFA
 
💭 Three words that describe you: Passionate, Disciplined, Vibrant 
 
⭐ What inspires you: I remember my first exposure to music and theatre so vividly, and it changed my world forever. As a young person, seeing people up on stage showing such vulnerability, power, and animation, I felt my heart changing for the better. These experiences completely shaped me into who I am today as both a performer and a human, and I hope I can give back the same gift to audiences of all ages, but especially kids! In a world full of being told to be smaller or to succumb to expectations, I hope I can inspire young people to take up space, to dream big, to look silly, to sing out strong (and sometimes wrong), and grow into a kind and disciplined person while doing it.
 
🎉 Alexa was nominated for her academic achievements, artistic and scholarly accomplishments, and ongoing commitment to their craft.
 
Read about her many accomplishments, as well as those of the other CFA Outstanding Seniors at the link in our bio!
 

 

🎓 DoT Class of ’26 Giveaway
 
BEFORE FRIDAY 5/1:
•Comment below with your favorite memory from this year
•Tag a friend (more tags = more entries)
 
AND YOU COULD WIN A PRIZE PACKAGE:
•Arts Pass lunch tote
•Arts Pass t-shirt
•Arts Pass wood and steel water bottle
•Arts Pass colored pencils and notebook
•Arts Pass Bluetooth portable speaker
•Arts Pass headphones
•U Arts green bandana
•CFA pen, pad, carabiner
•University of Utah and U Arts lapel pins
•Various department stickers
•UMFA stickers
•UtahPresents sticky notebook and cork drink coaster
 
*Must be a University of Utah Department of Theatre student graduating in Spring 2026.
 

 

One week from today…please welcome special takeover guest, Claybourne Elder!  
 
Follow a day in his life as a professional actor/singer/songwriter and participate in a Q&A during Clay’s segment on ’s channel on Wednesday, April 15th.
 
FUN FACTS
⭐ Is a U of U alum, Theatre BA ’06, DAA Horizon Recipient ‘19 
⭐ Is a Grammy, Screen Actors Guild, Drama Desk, and Lucille Lortel nominee 
⭐ Has starred in The Gilded Age (HBO) and Company (Broadway) 
⭐ Has performed in Carnegie Hall for “MasterVoices” and “We Chose to Go to the Moon”
⭐ Currently on 54 Below’s program to promote the release of his new album, “If the Stars Were Mine”
 
Photo 1: Claybourne Elder (by Matthew Priestley)
Photo 2: Elder in performance (by Austin Ruffer)
Photo 3: Elder as John Adams in HBO’s “The Gilded Age” (by Alison Rosa)
Photo 4: Elder as Andy with Katrina Lenk as Bobbie in “Company” on Broadway (by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg) 
Photo 5: Elder in “I Want to be Evil” (by matthew Tyler Priestley)
Photo 6: Elder’s new album “If The Stars Were Mine” (by 54 Below)
 
 

Look there! Do you see it? This is your sign to see U Theatre’s “Urinetown: The Musical” this week! Runs April 3–12 in the Babcock Theatre.

🎟️ Tickets at purchase.theatre.utah.edu or U of U students can use their aka for free admission.

Photos by

Featuring "Urinetown, the Musical" cast members Bobby (Luke Elsey ), Hope (Maria Moesinger ), Little Sally (Ella Mei Williamson ), and Lockstock (Ian Fernandez Andersen )

“Even with an ominously fortuitous message, the musical’s unique construction and writing makes ‘Urinetown: The Musical’ feel both familiar and far-fetched, and an absolute delight to experience.”

U Theatre presents “Urinetown: The Musical” in the Babcock Theatre from April 3–12.

🎟️ Tickets at purchase.theatre.utah.edu or U of U students can use their aka for free admission.

🔗 Full article linked in bio.

Photo by

L to R: "Urinetown, the Musical" cast members Little Sally (Ella Mei Williamson ), Lockstock (Ian Fernandez Andersen ), Bobby (Luke Elsey ) and Hope (Maria Moesinger )