We imagine it. We create it.

Production is what we create and where we create it; a single reading of a new play, a 2-week run of a mainstage production, or our artistic home, since 1935 – the Theatre Building.

Virtual Lobby

Visit our Virtual Lobby to learn more about current and past productions' cast, creative team, crew, director's and dramaturg's notes, designer renderings, and more! 

Performing Arts Calendar

Visit the Performing Arts at Iowa calendar to view all upcoming performing arts events happening across our vibrant and creative campus.

Upcoming Department of Theatre Arts events

On Clowns, Magic, Dirt, Decay: Artist Talk with Alex Tatarsky promotional image

On Clowns, Magic, Dirt, Decay: Artist Talk with Alex Tatarsky

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 5:00pm to 6:15pm
Theatre Building

A “hilarious, finely tuned absurdist” (Theatre Jones), Alex Tatarsky makes performances in the uncomfortable in-between zone of comedy, dance-theater, performance art, and deluded rant--sometimes with songs. Tatarsky experienced fleeting fame as Andy Kaufman’s daughter and used to perform as a mound of dirt. They are currently touring their falling apart bildungsroman about wanting to die, Sad Boys in Harpy Land, and their compost clown lecture-performance Dirt Trip. MATERIAL, an improvisational...

Stained Glass promotional image

Stained Glass

Friday, January 30, 2026 8:00pm
Theatre Building

By Randy Jackson-Alvarenga

Part of Theatre Arts' Gallery Series

Tickets:
Tickets for workshops and galleries are free of charge; however, you must obtain a ticket at the door and seating is limited.

Stained Glass promotional image

Stained Glass

Saturday, January 31, 2026 8:00pm
Theatre Building

By Randy Jackson-Alvarenga

Part of Theatre Arts' Gallery Series

Tickets:
Tickets for workshops and galleries are free of charge; however, you must obtain a ticket at the door and seating is limited.

Stained Glass promotional image

Stained Glass

Sunday, February 1, 2026 2:00pm
Theatre Building

By Randy Jackson-Alvarenga

Part of Theatre Arts' Gallery Series

Tickets:
Tickets for workshops and galleries are free of charge; however, you must obtain a ticket at the door and seating is limited.

Jazz at the Stanley promotional image

Jazz at the Stanley

Thursday, February 5, 2026 5:45pm to 7:45pm
Stanley Museum of Art

The Stanley Museum of Art and SCOPE present a jazz ensemble performance at the museum, free and open to all. More information to come.

How to Defend Yourself promotional image

How to Defend Yourself

Friday, February 6, 2026 8:00pm
Theatre Building
In the immediate aftermath of an assault, a group of college students gather for a DIY self-defense class. This setting quickly becomes a space for channeling their anger, anxiety, trauma, confusion, and desire. In navigating these feelings, the group of strangers unites as a community and works to move forward together. Using humor and candor, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself asks us to look beyond the labels of 'perpetrator' and 'survivor,' and to examine the complexities that abide in each of us.
How to Defend Yourself promotional image

How to Defend Yourself

Saturday, February 7, 2026 8:00pm
Theatre Building
In the immediate aftermath of an assault, a group of college students gather for a DIY self-defense class. This setting quickly becomes a space for channeling their anger, anxiety, trauma, confusion, and desire. In navigating these feelings, the group of strangers unites as a community and works to move forward together. Using humor and candor, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself asks us to look beyond the labels of 'perpetrator' and 'survivor,' and to examine the complexities that abide in each of us.
How to Defend Yourself promotional image

How to Defend Yourself

Sunday, February 8, 2026 2:00pm
Theatre Building
In the immediate aftermath of an assault, a group of college students gather for a DIY self-defense class. This setting quickly becomes a space for channeling their anger, anxiety, trauma, confusion, and desire. In navigating these feelings, the group of strangers unites as a community and works to move forward together. Using humor and candor, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself asks us to look beyond the labels of 'perpetrator' and 'survivor,' and to examine the complexities that abide in each of us.
How to Defend Yourself promotional image

How to Defend Yourself

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 8:00pm
Theatre Building
In the immediate aftermath of an assault, a group of college students gather for a DIY self-defense class. This setting quickly becomes a space for channeling their anger, anxiety, trauma, confusion, and desire. In navigating these feelings, the group of strangers unites as a community and works to move forward together. Using humor and candor, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself asks us to look beyond the labels of 'perpetrator' and 'survivor,' and to examine the complexities that abide in each of us.
How to Defend Yourself promotional image

How to Defend Yourself

Thursday, February 12, 2026 8:00pm
Theatre Building
In the immediate aftermath of an assault, a group of college students gather for a DIY self-defense class. This setting quickly becomes a space for channeling their anger, anxiety, trauma, confusion, and desire. In navigating these feelings, the group of strangers unites as a community and works to move forward together. Using humor and candor, Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself asks us to look beyond the labels of 'perpetrator' and 'survivor,' and to examine the complexities that abide in each of us.