NAU Theatre Events
To purchase tickets for any of the events for the upcoming season, please visit the NAU Central Ticketing Office.
OF STORMS AND CLEAR SKIES
The last year has changed us as citizens of the world and makers of art. Our collective longing for community, connection, and for life in some form of normalcy is overwhelming. Emily asks in the final act of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? – every, every minute?” This is a visceral and passionate response to a transformation that perhaps many of us have undergone in our year of isolation. While we created a hybrid form of storytelling, we missed you, our audience and essential part of human communication in theatre. We invite you to return to our stages, albeit most likely in smaller numbers, but in person as we conjure the magic from stories old and new, seen through the lens of our stormy year and look toward our future clear skies.
Main Stage Productions
The Tempest
By William Shakespeare
A furious and tempestuous storm literally launches our season with the mysterious comedy, The Tempest. Shakespeare spotlights both the marvelous and the sinister traits of magic in a tale of love and betrayal set on a faraway island. As the island’s foreign interlopers engage in petty squabbles and drunken antics, its indigenous community demonstrate the elemental power of nature to conjure moments of true beauty. Prospero’s wish in his final prologue says it all, “Now I want, Spirits to enforce, art to enchant.” Welcome back to the Theatre one an all!
The Clifford E. White Theater
October 14, 15, 16 at 7:30p.m. and October 16 and 17 at 2:00p.m.
Devised Theatre
By Collaboration
We invite you to experience a new theatrical endeavor, Devised Theatre, where the story is formed through the collective. Created by a community of artists from the NAU Theatre Ensemble, the Devised Project will form organically around shared ideas, themes, stories, or prompts and focusing the lens on the past, the present and the future as we are reunited in the physical spaces of rehearsal hall and theater. After the storm has passed, the birth of a new story is welcomed because as Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
The Studio Theater
November 18, 19, 20 at 7:30p.m. and November 20 and 21 at 2:00p.m.
Luna
By Ramon Esquivel
A play for all ages, Luna tells the enchanting story of Soledad, the lonely, friendless daughter of migrant workers who finds courage and friendship in her constant companion, the moon. Soledad and Luna forge a joyful bond which ultimately leads Soledad to reach out to those around her. Luna encourages Soledad by saying, “Taking risks is hard to do, but taking risks builds courage, too.” The magical relationship of girl and her moon and the insight and strength Soledad gains on her journey echo Ramón Esquivel’s purpose, “I hope my stories inspire empathy, connection, and wisdom – and that they make audiences laugh along the way.” Just what we need in these post-pandemic times!
The Studio Theater
February 24, 25, 26 at 7:30p.m. and February 27 at 2:00p.m.
Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Join us in Grover’s Corners for OUR TOWN, the American Classic that 83 years after it its Broadway debut, continues to work its magic on audiences around the world. The deceptively simple story lays bare the smaller moments in life leaving audiences in awe of the timelessness of human existence. OUR TOWN captivates our hearts by exposing humanities indispensable shared truths. This play grows in relevance with each year, but the meanings explode in the post-pandemic world. As the lights fade, and the twinkling stars rise in the sky of Grover’s Corners, we end our season with the promise of clear skies.
The Clifford E. White Theater
April 21, 22, 23 at 7:30p.m. and April 23, 24 at 2:00p.m.
Second Stage Productions
The Great Survival Debate
7:00p.m., September 9, 2021, Venue-TBA
The One Act Festival
December 3 and 4, 2021 at 7:30p.m. in the Studio Theatre.
Design and Technology Expo 2022
April 1, 2022, Venue-TBA
Sustainable Theatre
We at NAU Theatre are committed to producing sustainable theatre. In an effort to reduce our impact on the environment, patrons may now view Production Playbills on any device connected to the internet. Please follow this link to access all of our Online Playbills.
Join us this season on our two state-of-the-art stages, the 300-seat Clifford E. White and the intimate Studio Theater for the best line-up of live theatre you’ll enjoy this year.