NE North Dakota News

UND Theatre has announced its 2025-26 season, focusing on community engagement under the theme “Our Community. Our Voices.” The department is introducing new traditions this year, including community partnerships and pop-up performances designed to connect with audiences in Greater Grand Forks.

Emily Cherry Oliver, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts, explained the initiative: “We wanted to create a place where the whole Greater Grand Forks community feels welcome. As we were choosing our productions last spring, the theme just emerged very organically. It was a happy accident that it aligned with President Armacost’s focus — but it makes perfect sense. This year is about opening our doors even wider.”

UND Theatre opened the season in late September with “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” and began holding pop-up previews. These short performances are staged in public spaces like the Social Stairs in the Memorial Union during lunch hours. “Visibility is important when we’re trying to build community,” Oliver said. “People can’t join you if they don’t know you’re there.” She added, “We’re hoping people will grab their lunch — and their friends — and enjoy a sneak peek. This is a first for us, and we’re so excited to create these new opportunities. We want everyone to know that we are an active, vibrant part of the cultural scene in this area.”

The upcoming pop-up events will feature scenes from “My Fair Lady” on Nov. 5, “Little Women” on Feb. 18, and “Our Town” on April 15, each running from noon to 1 p.m. A special preview for “A Cozy Christmas Cabaret” will take place Dec. 3 at the Chester Fritz Library.

Each mainstage production will partner with a different community group. For “My Fair Lady,” the UND Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders will highlight its Speech-Language Clinic, connecting with themes from the show. “A Cozy Christmas Cabaret” will involve local artists and businesses. “Little Women” will feature local crafts displays in the theater lobby. For “Our Town,” local public libraries will coordinate a community-wide reading of Ann Patchett’s novel “Tom Lake,” which also relates to themes from the play.

Oliver emphasized the department’s broader goals: “Theater is about portraying life on stage. Sometimes that life is over the top; sometimes that life is tragic. But that’s our job to show a community on stage. The idea behind these community partners is to connect to people’s everyday lives. We hope that will make the themes of each show resonate even more deeply with our audiences. This season isn’t just about watching theater. It’s about belonging.”

This season also marks several changes for UND Theatre. Enrollment has increased, Adriene Grigsby has joined as technical director, and construction continues on the Starcher Black Box Theatre, set to open next fall with updated seating and technical equipment. “Right now, if you put a pencil on the floor, it’ll start rolling,” Oliver said with a laugh. “When you’re trying to adhere scenery pieces, that doesn’t really help. So, we’re just thrilled to have a new, well-equipped place to do our work.”

All performances will be held at Burtness Theatre at 281 Centennial Road in Grand Forks. Tickets are $15 for students, seniors and military members and $25 for other adults.