Theatre
Each academic year, the Aurora University Theatre Department presents two to three productions ranging from timeless classics and Shakespearean favorites to contemporary plays and innovative new works. Performed in Perry Theatre, these shows feature the talents of AU students, faculty, and guest artists.
Arts & Ideas Spotlight Series: Children’s Play
“If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” adapted by Jody Davidson, based on the books by Laura Joffe Numeroff
Tuesday, November 17–Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Perry Theatre in the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Center for Cultural Enrichment | 349 S. Gladstone Ave., Aurora, IL
Based on Laura Numeroff’s beloved children’s book and adapted by Jody Davidson, this fast-paced, funny romp follows one small request spiraling into a house full of chaos. Perfect for audiences of all ages, it’s a joyful reminder that the best adventures start with the smallest asks. Boy just wants a quiet afternoon with a bag of cookies and his comic book. Then Mouse shows up, curious, hungry, and impossible to say no to. One cookie leads to a glass of milk, which leads to a napkin, which leads to... well, you know how this goes.
Arts & Ideas Main Stage: Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical” by Dennis Kelly, Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin
Friday, March 19–Saturday, March 20, 2027 | 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23, 2027 | 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 24, 2027 | 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 25, 2027 | 7 p.m.
Perry Theatre in the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Center for Cultural Enrichment | 349 S. Gladstone Ave., Aurora, IL
She’s 5 years old, brilliant beyond her years, and completely unloved at home. But Matilda has a few things going for her: a razor-sharp mind, an unshakable sense of right and wrong, and, as it turns out, a little bit of magic. At school, she finds an ally in the gentle Miss Honey and an archenemy in the monstrous Miss Trunchbull, a headmistress who despises children and everything they stand for. It’s up to Matilda to prove that even the smallest person can change her own story.
With music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly, this Royal Shakespeare Company production has won 47 international awards and delighted audiences worldwide. Bursting with wit, heart, and show-stopping numbers, “Matilda” is a celebration of imagination, rebellion, and the quiet power of a girl who refuses to be told who she is.
Register