Productions

The AU Theatre Department offers students the chance to take part in a dynamic and hands-on production season each academic year. With two to three full-scale shows ranging from Shakespeare to contemporary works, students explore a variety of theatrical styles while gaining real-world experience in performance, design, and production.

Productions are staged in both Perry Theatre and the Black Box Theatre, where students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom, collaborate creatively, and grow as artists. While Theatre majors are deeply involved in all aspects of production, students from any major are welcome to audition or contribute behind the scenes. All Theatre Department productions are free and open to the public.

2025-2026 Aurora University Theatre Season

All performances and auditions will take place in Perry Theatre.

“Concord Floral” by Jordan Tannahill
Auditions:
September 9–11, 2025 | 7 p.m.

Performances:
November 13–15, 2025 | 7 p.m.
November 16, 2025 | 2 p.m.

In the quiet sprawl of suburbia, a group of ten teenagers claim an abandoned greenhouse as their own—a hidden world where they can be bold, reckless, and free. It’s their sanctuary, their escape from adult expectations, and a place to explore the edges of identity and belonging.

But when two friends uncover something chilling buried beneath the surface—something that refuses to stay hidden—they set off a chain reaction that shakes the entire group. Unexplained messages, strange encounters, and growing tension force each of them to confront the guilt, complicity, and silence they’ve tried to outrun.

Inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron and rooted in the rhythms of contemporary teen life, Concord Floral gives voice to a generation navigating fear, shame, and accountability. As their sanctuary unravels, the teens of Concord Floral must face the question: What happens when the past refuses to stay buried?

Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Carousel”
Auditions:
December 2–5, 2025 | 7 p.m.

Performances:
March 26–28, 2026 | 7 p.m.
March 29, 2026 | 2 p.m.

From the legendary team of Rodgers and Hammerstein comes Carousel, a rich and emotional portrait of love, struggle, and the courage to change. In a small coastal village in late 19th-century Maine, the bold and charismatic carnival barker Billy Bigelow falls in love with Julie Jordan, a quiet, steadfast millworker. Their love is immediate and intense, but it is also tested by hardship, insecurity, and the limits of forgiveness.

When Billy makes a desperate choice in an attempt to provide for his family, his actions send ripples through generations. What follows is a story of redemption, grace, and the hope that love—however imperfect—can lead to healing.

With iconic songs such as “If I Loved You,” “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over,” and the enduring anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Carousel confronts themes of love, loss, pride, and the possibility of redemption after death. It asks difficult questions about personal responsibility, the cycles we inherit, and whether change is truly possible.

Main Stage

Each academic year, the Theatre Department presents two to three Main Stage productions in Perry Theatre, featuring a mix of classics, contemporary plays, and everything in between. These full-scale shows are led by faculty or guest directors and supported by student designers, technicians, and crew members. Whether you’re studying theatre or just have a passion for performance, there’s a role for you.

Spartan Stage

Spartan Stage offers student-led productions from start to finish, featuring original projects, staged readings, and senior capstones. Students serve as directors, producers, designers, and performers.

To lead a Spartan Stage production, interested students must submit a project proposal to the Theatre Department. If approved, students will receive faculty mentorship to guide the entire process, from casting to the final performance.

Past Performance Photo Galleries