Performing Arts Season

PERFORMING ARTS SEASON

To purchase tickets, visit ticketor.com/rockforduniversity or call the Rockford University Box Office at (815) 226-4100, or email boxoffice@rockford.edu

Season tickets can be found here

Each academic year, our Performing Arts department produces a collection of theater productions open to our campus community and the general public. In addition, Artists’ Ensemble, Rockford’s only professional theater company, is in residence on our campus and performs in our theatres in the Clark Arts Center.

The following list includes this year’s Rockford University productions. Single ticket admission for adults $12, $9 for seniors age 55 and up, and non-RU students is $9 unless otherwise noted.  Groups of 8 or more are $5 each. RU STUDENTS/FACULY/STAFF are FREE with ID, or by emailing the box office, but free tickets are limited (boxoffice@rockford.edu).  Dates and locations are subject to change. All seating will be assigned.

Rockford University
Performing Arts Season: 2024-2025

Fall 2024 Performances

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
October 3-6, 2024 (Thursday-Saturday 7:30 pm; Sunday 2 pm)
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Director, Prof. Marissa Barnathan
In this musical, an eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Much Ado About Nothing
November 21-24, 2024 (Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday 2 pm)
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Director, Prof. Deborah Mogford
This version of the tale is set in post WWI New Orleans. The script calls for a masked dance and what more perfect place for a masquerade than the city known for Mardi Gras? Love, deceit, and misunderstandings abound in this witty and charming comedy by William Shakespeare. Beatrice and Benedick, two strong-willed and witty friends, must confront the complexities of relationships as they face the blurred lines between truth and deception. Meanwhile, Claudio and Hero’s budding love is put to the test as rumors and lies threaten to destroy their bond. Will love prevail, or will the whispers and rumors of the day destroy the bonds of affection? Dive into this timeless tale of romance, humor, and drama to find out.

Serenade to Music: Shakespeare in Song
December 6, 2024 (Friday, 7:30 pm)
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Director, Prof. Timm Adams
Join Rockford University choirs, soloists, and special guests for an enchanting evening of songs old and new with texts penned by the Bard himself. Vaughan Williams’ lush Serenade to Music sets the tone of the program, along with some lively contemporary and jazz interpretations and a few unforgettable holiday tunes to round out the program. We are joined by special guests, Val Blair on piano, Rachel Handlin on violin, and Mike Beert on double bass.

Spring 2025 Performances

Blithe Spirit 
February 20-23, 2025 (Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday 2 pm)
Cheek Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Director, Prof. Deborah Mogford
A smash comedy hit in London and New York, this much-revived classic from the playwright of Private Lives concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira. Clever, insistent and well aware of Charles’ shortcomings, Elvira is called up by a visiting “happy medium,” the eccentric and flighty Madame Arcati. As everyone’s personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed. She “passes over” and joins Elvira, allowing the two “blithe spirits” to haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity. “Blithe Spirit” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

The Prom
April 10-13, 2025 (Thursday-Saturday, 7:30 pm; Sunday 2 pm)
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Director, Prof. Marissa Barnathan
Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, THE PROM expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.THE PROM is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

Choir Concert
May 2, 2025 (Friday, 7:30 pm)
Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
Director, Prof. Timm Adams
More details to be announced! These once-a-semester concerts feature Rockford University choirs.