Department of Theatre and Dance
University Theatre
2024-2025 Mainstage Season
Welcome to Fresno State University Theatre's 2024-25 Mainstage Season, where innovation and tradition collide to bring you an unforgettable journey through theater. This season promises to captivate audiences with a dynamic lineup featuring five Fresno premieres alongside the annual Contemporary Dance Ensemble Concert. Opening the season is "Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really," a daring adaptation by Kate Hamill that ingeniously tackles sexism within Bram Stoker's iconic tale. Following this, "Chicken & Biscuits" by Douglas Lyons delves into family dynamics with humor and heart, while "Red Velvet" by Lolita Chakrabart explores themes of race and revolution against the backdrop of 19th-century London. The season continues with the mesmerizing "Contemporary Dance Ensemble," showcasing the talent and creativity of Fresno's dance community. Next, "Antigone" by Anne Carson offers a poetic reimagining of Sophokles' classic tragedy, confronting timeless questions of justice and law. Finally, "The Sins of Sor Juana" by Karen Zacarías transports audiences to 17th-century Mexico, where the legendary poet Juana Inés de la Cruz navigates love, betrayal, and the pursuit of artistic freedom in a society rife with oppression. Join us as we celebrate the power of storytelling and the boundless creativity of the human spirit on the stages of Fresno State University Theatre.
TICKETS:
Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really
By Kate Hamill
Directed by J. Daniel Herring
Sept. 27 - Oct. 5, 2024
Kate Hamill boldly reimagines Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale, replacing gothic tropes of villains who wear evil on their sleeve and damsels in distress with all-too-human monsters and ferocious women who strike at the heart of the patriarchy. In her thrilling new adaptation, Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really, Hamill confronts the sexism in Stoker’s original work, transforming the story into a feminist battle cry. Bouncing between horror and humor, this gory, funny, and fierce retelling upends Victorian notions of fainting ladies and dashing villains, asking who the real monsters are and who is truly in distress.
A Fresno Premiere!
Chicken & Biscuits
By Douglas Lyons
Directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis
November 1 - 9, 2024
Can rivaling sisters Baneatta and Beverly bury their father without killing each other? This proves difficult when Beverly shows up at the chapel with her “blessings” on display. Meanwhile, Baneatta’s son brings his neurotic Jewish boyfriend along, knowing Baneatta disapproves, and Beverly’s nosy daughter keeps asking questions no one wants to answer. Baneatta’s pastor husband tries to mediate the family drama, but when a shocking family secret reveals itself at the pulpit, the two sisters are faced with a truth that could either heal or break them.
A Fresno Premiere!
Red Velvet
By Lolita Chakrabarti
Directed by Brad Myers
Dec. 6 - 14, 2024
Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, 1833. Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his generation, collapsed on stage whilst playing Othello. A young black American actor has been asked to take over the role. But as the public riot in the streets over the abolition of slavery, how will the cast, critics and audience react to the revolution taking place in the theatre?
A Fresno Premiere!
Contemporary Dance Ensemble
Artistic Director, Kenneth Balint
Feb. 14 - 22, 2025
This annual contemporary dance concert highlights contemporary classics, creative innovation, and collaborations between students and faculty.
Antigone
By Sophokles | Adapted by Anne Carson
Directed by Michelle Bellaver
March 28 - April 5, 2025
The conflict between justice and law rises to poetic heights in Anne Carson’s innovative translation of Sophokles’ classic tale of civil disobedience. Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, mourns her beloved brother Polyneikes, considered an enemy of the state; Antigone’s uncle, King Kreon, refuses to allow his burial, considering him an insurgent and traitor. In an act of defiance and courage, Antigone breaks the law and sets the city of Thebes and its inhabitants towards an irreversible fate.
A Fresno Premiere!
The Sins of Sor Juana
Written by Karen Zacarías
Directed by Gina Sandí-Díaz
May 2 - 10, 2025
Legendary Mexican poet Juana Inés de la Cruz writes expressive, sensual verse at the Viceroy’s court in the 1600s, a time when it was unfashionable and sinful for women to exercise their intellect. The Viceroy is jealous of Juana’s influence on his beautiful wife, the Vicereine, who has arranged a profitable marriage to ensure that Juana will always have a place in court. Believing his own marriage is threatened by Juana’s engagement, the Viceroy hires a charming, educated rogue to seduce Juana and destroy her reputation. When Juana refuses to compromise her poetry for what the church ordains appropriate, she stands to lose everything she loves.
A Fresno Premiere!
Box Office and Theatres
Hours and Location
• Tuesday - Thursday, Noon to 3:00 p.m. (During the regular academic year)
• One hour before curtain on performance days.
North Entrance of the Speech Arts Building
Parking
For a parking map, including suggested lots and parking meters, click here.
Contact
Phone: 559.278.2216
Fax: 559.278.7215
Email
Address
Speech Arts Building
5201 North Maple Avenue
M/S SA46
Fresno CA 93740-8027