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

Iowa New Play Festival promotional image

Iowa New Play Festival

Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, 2026 (all day)
Theatre Building
We are thrilled to present our annual Iowa New Play Festival in the Theatre Building featuring full productions written by MFA playwrights. Plus, there are readings daily from new, full plays written by MFA and undergraduate playwrights.
Lucia promotional image

Lucia

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Theatre Building
By Emily Kaufman-Bell
Directed by Kayla Adams
Part of Iowa New Play Festival – Reading Series
Conflict and Resolution — An Obermann Wide Lens Event promotional image

Conflict and Resolution — An Obermann Wide Lens Event

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

In a world shaped by tension, disagreement, and change, conflict surrounds us, from moments of personal friction to struggles within communities and across nations. It surfaces in our institutions, our relationships, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others. How do conflicts take shape and persist? How are they influenced by power, perspective, and history? Can conflict be generative? What forms might resolution take? How do we begin that process?

This Wide Lens event brings together...

Selections from the Undergraduate Playwrights Workshop promotional image

Selections from the Undergraduate Playwrights Workshop

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Theatre Building
Selections from the Undergraduate Playwrights Workshop
Part of Iowa New Play Festival – Reading Series
Iowa New Play Festival promotional image

Iowa New Play Festival

Thursday, May 7 to Friday, May 8, 2026 (all day)
Theatre Building
We are thrilled to present our annual Iowa New Play Festival in the Theatre Building featuring full productions written by MFA playwrights. Plus, there are readings daily from new, full plays written by MFA and undergraduate playwrights.
BEARS BEARS BEARS BEARS BEARS  promotional image

BEARS BEARS BEARS BEARS BEARS

Thursday, May 7, 2026 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Theatre Building
By Gwen Docter
Directed by M D Frank
Part of Iowa New Play Festival – Reading Series
Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic promotional image

Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic

Thursday, May 7, 2026 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Theatre Building
By Adrian Enzastiga
Music by Mark Bruckner and Adrian Enzastiga
Directed and Choreographed by Michael C. Flores
Part of Iowa New Play Festival – Production Series
Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic promotional image

Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic

Thursday, May 7, 2026 9:00pm to 11:00pm
Theatre Building
By Adrian Enzastiga
Music by Mark Bruckner and Adrian Enzastiga
Directed and Choreographed by Michael C. Flores
Part of Iowa New Play Festival – Production Series
Iowa New Play Festival promotional image

Iowa New Play Festival

Friday, May 8, 2026 (all day)
Theatre Building
We are thrilled to present our annual Iowa New Play Festival in the Theatre Building featuring full productions written by MFA playwrights. Plus, there are readings daily from new, full plays written by MFA and undergraduate playwrights.
Guest Roundtable | Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic promotional image

Guest Roundtable | Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic

Friday, May 8, 2026 10:30am to 11:30am
Theatre Building
A roundtable discussion of the Iowa New Play Festival production Drag'daLore: The Musical Ballroom Epic by Adrian Enzastiga.