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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

UI Junior Dante Benjegerdes poses for a portrait at the Theatre Building on Monday, March 25, 2019. Now an alum, Benjegerdes is an assistant lighting designer for a theater in Minneapolis

UI alum to illuminate world premiere of trans-narrative children’s show

Stella Shipman, Arts Editor October 10, 2023

When sound and dialogue cannot convey emotions in a live stage production, lighting is essential to effectively show changes in mood and visually guide audiences across a stage. For the world premiere...

Students in the University of Iowa's Department of Dance perform in a dress rehearsal for the Faculty/Graduate Concert in Space Place Theater on Tuesday, Feb 5., 2019.

Renovations to Space Place Theater improve experiences for audience and performers

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter October 3, 2023

While students may congregate in North Hall on the University of Iowa campus for classes or activities, they may also be drawn to the recently renovated Space Place Theater, where various performances...

Actors interact during a Hamlet showing at the James Theatre in Iowa City on Sept. 21, 2023.

Review | Crooked Path’s “Hamlet” at The James displays grief and despair onstage

Zhenya Loughney, Arts Reporter September 24, 2023

"Hamlet" is one of Shakespeare’s best-known plays and continues to cement him as one of the greatest playwrights in history. Local up-and-coming theatre company Crooked Path performed their over...

Rigley Ohrt runs to Lyrah Huggins during Iowa City Community Theater’s production of “Our Town” at the City Park Festival Stage on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Ohrt plays Walley Webb and Huggins plays Rebecca Gibbs.

Review | IC Community Theatre warmly presents ‘Our Town’ on Riverside Festival Stage

Zhenya Loughney, Arts Reporter September 11, 2023

The Iowa City Community Theatre’s production of “Our Town” is no exception, grimly reminding audiences that death is universal and we should cherish our loved ones. Pulitzer Prize recipient...

The outside of the Riverside Theater is seen during day three of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

Riverside Theatre presents stellar season lineup and educational programs

Stella Shipman, Arts Editor August 22, 2023

Riverside Theatre’s fall season will begin in October with “The Trip to Bountiful,” a play written in the 1950s by famous American playwright Horton Foote, best known for his screenplay for...

Hancher Auditorium is seen on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

Hancher releases breakdown of new season performances

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor July 12, 2023

Following the announcement of the Infinite Dream festival set to take place this fall, as well as the earlier report of a new Broadway subscription series, the University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium...

Adam Knight the Director of William Shakespeare’sTwelfth Night introduces attendees before the live performance of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in Iowa City on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Riverside Theatre’s production of ‘Twelfth Night’ delivers fresh perspective on Shakespearean classic

Avi Lapchick, Arts Editor June 27, 2023

For this year's Free Shakespeare in the Park production, Riverside Theatre elected to stage their rendition of “Twelfth Night.”  This play tells the tale of twins Viola and Sebastian, who get separated...

Contributed by Nick Rudzianski

Iowa City Community Theatre presents story of love in the face of destruction in ‘Follies’

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter May 2, 2023

In a bittersweet story of love, aging, and theater, the Iowa City Community Theatre’s production of “Follies” began April 28-30 and will continue May 5-7. The show is the final show of the...

Mary Mayo, playing Robyn, performs during a production of “The Roommate” presented by the Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Thursday, April 28, 2023.

‘The Roommate’ at Riverside emphasizes that age does not dictate identity

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter May 2, 2023

If you think you’ve had bad experiences with roommates, imagine a former criminal from New York moving into your house. This is exactly what happens in the comedic and hard-hitting play “The...

Hancher Auditorium is seen on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

Hancher introduces new Broadway subscription series and arts festival

Stella Shipman, Arts Reporter May 1, 2023

Hancher Auditorium announced that a new Broadway subscription series, an October arts festival, and a new season lineup for the venue’s 2023-24 programming. Broadway subscription packages went...

Mezzo soprano Jordan McCready sings during a dress rehearsal of the immersive opera “The Great Flood” at the Voxman Music Building on Monday, April 24, 2023. Nathan Felix is the composer of the opera and it premiered at the Stanley Museum of Art on Thursday, April 27.

Immersive opera ‘The Great Flood’ tells emotional stories at the Stanley

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter April 30, 2023

The crowd waited in the lobby of the Stanley with high anticipation on Thursday evening before performers began a performance of song and music while walking among the audience. The immersive opera...

Mary Mayo, playing Robyn, and Joy Vandervort-Cobb playing Sharon, perform during a production of “The Roommate” presented by the Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Thursday, April 28, 2023.

Photos: The Roommate dress rehearsal

Darren Chen, Photojournalist April 28, 2023

Riverside Theatre presented a production of “The Roommate” in Iowa City on Thursday, April 28, 2023. The show was a riveting comedy by Jen Silverman, a graduate of the University of Iowa Playwrights...