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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

Katy Hahn, playing King Henry, performs during a dress rehearsal of Riverside Theatre's “Henry V” at the Riverside Festival Stage in Lower City Park in Iowa City on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Daily Iowan)

Riverside Theatre brings ‘Henry V’ to Lower City Park

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter June 16, 2022

This year, Riverside Theatre is performing the show Henry V. A turbulent tale that takes a slice out of history, the performance recounts a portion of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France....

Contributed photo of George de la Peña.

UI professor George de la Peña takes the stage in ‘God’s Fool’

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter June 14, 2022

From Iowa to New York City — University of Iowa dance professor George de la Peña is taking the stage at the Ellen Stewart Theater to perform God’s Fool. Written by Martha Clarke, well-known for...

The Englert Theatre marquee is seen during day three of the Mission Creek Festival in Iowa City on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

John Schickedanz selected as the Englert’s next executive director

Parker Jones, Arts Editor June 7, 2022

After The Englert Theatre’s former executive director, Andre Perry, stepped down in Sept. 2021. The theater’s marketing director, John Schickedanz, temporarily filled the position. Now, his role in...

Cast members sing in "Legally Blonde the Musical" at Coralville Center for the Performing Arts in Coralville, IA. "Legally Blonde the Musical" presents the weekend of May 6 and May 13.

City Circle to premiere ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’

Olivia Augustine, Arts Reporter May 5, 2022

City Circle was two weeks into rehearsals of Legally Blonde the Musical when the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the production in its tracks. This Saturday, the show will finally debut with a brand-new...

Halsey Hall at the University of Iowa is seen on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Halsey is where a majority of dance classes are held.

UI to offer new Social Justice and Performing Arts certificate program

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter May 2, 2022

From theatrical productions to choreographed routines, the connection between social justice and the performing arts exists in nearly every discipline of art. While the University of Iowa has offered...

Niyati Deshpande, playing Natasha Rostova, sings in the musical "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1912" at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Thursday, April 21, 2022. "Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1912" premiered Friday, April 22, and ends Sunday, May 8.

‘Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812’ brings drama, humor, and immersion to Riverside Theatre

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter April 28, 2022

The common theatrical phrase, ‘the audience is the final character in a show’ is perfectly applicable in Riverside Theatre’s latest production. For their first musical in over 12 years, Riverside...

Cast members take notes in a "It's Like Riding a Bike" rehearsal at David Thayer Theatre at the Theatre Building in Iowa City.  "It's Like Riding a Bike" is one of four full-length productions in the Iowa New Play Festival, running May 2-7.

Iowa New Play Festival returns to live format to present four distinct premieres

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter April 26, 2022

Art Borreca, co-head of the playwriting program at the University of Iowa, describes his place of employment as “The Writing University.” The Iowa New Play Festival acts as a culmination of...

A cast member takes notes in a "It's Like Riding a Bike" rehearsal at the David Thayer Theatre Building in Iowa City on Sunday, April 24, 2022. "It's Like Riding a Bike" is one of four productions in the Iowa New Play Festival, running May 2-7.

Photos: ‘It’s Like Riding a Bike’ rehearsal

Gabby Drees, Photojournalist April 25, 2022

It’s Like Riding a Bike, under the direction of Ann Kreitman and written by Jeremy Geragotelis, hosted a rehearsal at the David Thayer Theatre at the Theatre Building in Iowa City on Sunday, April 24. Pel,...

Contributed.

UI School of Music to tell a forbidden love story at sea with ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter April 21, 2022

The University of Iowa’s School of Music is making waves in the world of comedy and opera with its latest production, H.M.S. Pinafore. Written and composed by Victorian-era theatrical duo W. S. Gilbert...

Actors belt a song in the musical "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1912" at Riverside Theatre in Iowa City on Thursday, April 21, 2022. "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1912" will premiere Friday, April 22, and end Sunday, May 8.

Riverside Theatre to present first musical in over 12 years with ‘Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812’

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter April 21, 2022

In an immersive theater experience, Riverside Theatre will bind together love, drama, and history with its first musical production in over 12 years. Based on part of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace,...

June, performed by Dajzané Meadows-Sanderlin, plays video games during a dress rehearsal for “BLKS” at the University of Iowa’s theatre building on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. The performance demonstrated what it’s like to be a Black queer woman.

Photos: ‘BLKS’ dress rehearsal

Jerod Ringwald, Photo Editor April 13, 2022

A cast of six and a crew of 12 hosted a dress rehearsal of BLKS at Mabie Theatre in the University of Iowa’s Theatre Building on Tuesday. According to the play's website, the play "explores what it...

Octavia, performed by Olivia Foster, drinks with Imani, performed by DeZhané Antionette, during a dress rehearsal for “BLKS” at the University of Iowa’s theatre building on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. The performance demonstrated what it’s like to be a black queer woman.

‘BLKS’ to close UI Theatre spring mainstage season

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter April 12, 2022

The University of Iowa Theatre Department’s mainstage season for 2021-22 was full of diverse stories. From whimsical, musical tales based on classical mythology to historical pieces that reveal lesser-known...