ISU Theatre’s upcoming 2019–2020 season will tell diverse stories about climate change, George Washington, refugee issues, adolescence, feminism and a coastal village — yet all the shows will share one thing in common. Each work is written by a woman.
The new season, titled HERoic, will celebrate the 2020 women’s suffrage centennial and promote gender equity in the arts. ISU Theatre is committed to the 50/50 by 2020 initiative, a national movement created by the League of Professional Theatre Women to achieve parity for professional women theatre artists.
To accompany its unique season, ISU Theatre will host a year-long symposium series to bring nationally and world-renowned guest artists and speakers to campus. These partners will collaborate with students and faculty on productions and engage the campus and local community in topics of gender equity. Iowa State's music ensembles also are planning performances related to the HERoic season.
“One definition of heroic is behavior or language that is excessively and unexpectedly bold and dramatic,” said Brad Dell, director of ISU Theatre. “Our season and symposium series will celebrate the essential importance of women’s voices in the arts, humanities and sciences, and encourage others to commit to equal and equitable space at every table for women now and into the future.”
HERoic | ISU Theatre's 2019 - 2020 Season
"Climate Change Theatre Action"
A Community Collaboration
October 4 – 6, 2019
Short climate change plays in partnership with the international Climate Change Theatre Action initiative.
"Chasing George Washington"
A Musical Adventure for the Whole Family
October 25 – November 2, 2019
A White House field trip turns into a magical encounter with our most famous founding father.
"Anon(ymous)"
A Reimagination of an Ancient Classic
December 6 – 14, 2019
A young refugee travels the U.S. on an epic search for his family in an imaginative adaptation of Homer’s “The Odyssey.”
"The Wolves"
A Sizzling Contemporary Drama
February 28 – March 7, 2020
An all-girls soccer team navigates life together with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors.
"9 to 5”
A Musical Comedy
April 3 – 11, 2020
Based on the hit 1980 film, 9 to 5 delivers feminist flair when a trio of overworked office workers kidnap their horrible boss and take over the company.
"Of the Deep"
A New Play Featuring Puppetry and Original Music
April 24 – May 2, 2020
When the residents of a coastal village discover a massive whale carcass on their shore, they must confront practical and existential challenges.
HERoic is supported in part by the Transforming Liberal Arts and Sciences Endowment’s Theatre Excellence Fund.
To keep up with the latest HERoic news throughout next year, visit music.iastate.edu.