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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

Charlotte Brontë, played by Katie Gucik, opens a letter during a production of “Brontë: The World Without” at Riverside Theater in Iowa City on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Riverside produces play premiere

Riley Dunn, Arts Reporter December 3, 2023

As the lights dimmed and music started playing in Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on the opening night of “Brontë: The World Without,” audiences quickly realized this production would be something...

Emma Bibb, Owen Brightman and Mary Lukas perform during a showing of Eli Campbell’s Pleasure Play directed by Meredith Alexander at The Artifactory on North Dubuque Street in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

Review | Eli Campbell’s ‘Pleasure Play’ tells captivating story of three complicated characters

Riley Dunn, Arts Reporter November 28, 2023

The past two weekends, the Iowa City community was given the chance to experience Eli Campbell’s newest work, “Pleasure Play,” which follows the lives of Meave and Gracie, a couple trying to...

A child skips between the middle aisle at intermission during “Oh My Gourd!” a Playmaker performance hosted by Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

Pupil playwrights: IC elementary students’ plays share the big stage

Lily Czechowicz and Avi Lapchick November 14, 2023

Fourth-grade student Caroline Hodges wanted to create a story from her mind. She said she got pretty far and might put it to paper one day — if only she had the time and the space to do so. She...

Design concepts are seen at the University of Iowa Dance and Opera Costume Shop at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

UI Dance and Opera Costume Shop works behind the scenes to create the image of productions

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter November 7, 2023

When entering the University of Iowa Dance and Opera Costume Shop in Hancher Auditorium, every color and texture of fabric imaginable is illuminated in a bright, sunlit room. Since the spring 2022,...

The cast of The Sound of Waves Crashing on Broken Glass performs at Artifactory in Iowa City on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.

Run of the Mill presents ‘The Sound of Waves Crashing on an Island of Broken Glass’

Lily Czechowicz, Arts Reporter October 31, 2023

Twelve-year-old Malibu entered the kitchen and started a pot of coffee, unfazed by the old man chained to the floor. The man, revealed to be her grandfather, told Malibu her parents were not good people....

Jody Hovland, playing Mrs. Watts, and Phil Jordan, an ensemble member, perform during a production of “Trip to Bountiful” at Riverside Theater in Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.

Review | Riverside presents heartfelt rendition of ‘The Trip to Bountiful’

Caden Gantenbein, Arts Reporter October 24, 2023

On the opening night of “The Trip to Bountiful,” Riverside Director Adam Knight spoke to a packed theater, expressing his excitement for the play. The stage was strategically filled with furniture,...

Gina Hausknecht speaks during a discussion panel about contemporary approaches to Shakespeare at the Senate Chambers in the Old Capitol Building in Iowa City on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.

400 years after his first folio, William Shakespeare is still relevant to Iowa City community

Emma Gaughan, Arts Reporter October 17, 2023

On a rainy fall evening in Iowa City, scholars of theater and English gathered in the University of Iowa Old Capitol Museum to discuss the impact of the first folio of William Shakespeare 400 years...

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...