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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

Riverside Theatre’s new location promises bright future

Riverside Theatre’s new location promises bright future

Parker Jones, Arts Editor February 1, 2022

Riverside Theatre has officially moved into the heart of downtown Iowa City. The new space, located at 105 College St. in the Ped Mall’s Crescent Building, occupies three floors. Riverside plans...

Chuck Swanson, Executive Director of Hancher Auditorium, stands inside the atrium of Hancher on Friday, Mar. 2, 2018. Swanson has been the Executive Director since 2002. (Ben Allan Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Hancher director Chuck Swanson announces retirement

Parker Jones, Arts Editor February 1, 2022

After almost two decades acting as Hancher Auditorium’s executive director, Chuck Swanson is retiring from the position. In an email sent the morning of Feb. 1, Swanson addressed Hancher Partners...

The stage is set before the first showing of “Eden Prairie, 1971.” Riverside Theatre in downtown Iowa City welcomes its inaugural live show on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

Riverside Theatre celebrates 40th anniversary with the first preview of Eden Prairie, 1971

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter January 28, 2022

On January 27, 1982, Riverside Theatre performed its first-ever show for a live audience. Forty years later, the theater has reopened its doors in a new location, celebrating the past and future, hoping...

Actors act out a scene in “Cupid Tyrannous,” a play written by Kiley E Rowe and co-directed by Albert Williams and Alexis Vaselopulos on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. The play is set to premiere on Friday, Jan. 28 and Saturday, Jan. 29, in the Alan MacVey Theatre at the Theatre Building.

UI Theatre Department’s workshop series to present ‘Cupid Tyrannous,’ a play about love and loneliness

Anaka Sanders, Arts Reporter January 26, 2022

Only a few weeks away from Valentine’s Day, a play about Cupid, the Roman god of love, and their desire to find a soulmate will take the stage as part of the University of Iowa Department of Theatre...

Actors perform during warmups of “England’s Splendid Daughters,” in the University of Iowa’s Theatre Building on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022.

Iowa Directors Festival returns, presents four unique shows

Jami Martin-Trainor, Arts Reporter January 25, 2022

In the theater, behind the costumes, makeup, and bright stage lights are long hours of rehearsal and relationships built over time — a community. The University of Iowa’s theater program is...

Contributed photo of Beverly Mead.

‘Mama Mead’ finds family on the stage

Parker Jones, Arts Editor January 20, 2022

Ever since Beverly Mead began performing in community theater over 50 years ago, her career revolved around one theme — family.  Originally from Marcus, Iowa, she moved to Iowa City in 1983,...

Contributed photo from Hancher.

Hancher’s ‘An Officer and A Gentleman’ delivers almost everything you could want in a musical

Ariana Lessard, Arts Reporter January 20, 2022

Based on the Oscar-winning film of the same name, An Officer and a Gentleman is filled with classic 80s hits as it explores a young man’s journey when he enters the U.S. Navy’s Officer Training...

The City Circle Theatre Company performed the musical Matilda in a dress rehearsal at the Coralville Center for the Preforming Arts in Coralville, Iowa on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021.

City Circle’s ‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical’ presented a beautiful set and a believable cast

Olivia Augustine, Arts Reporter December 12, 2021

From an admired children’s book, to a beloved childhood movie, to a show-stopping Broadway production, Matildahas always held a special place in the world of entertainment. This weekend, City Circle...

Promotional photo for She Kills Monsters, a virtual play put on by the Iowa City Community Theater. Contributed

Iowa City Community Theatre presents virtual take on ‘She Kills Monsters’

Parker Jones, Arts Reporter December 9, 2021

Fairies, elves, TikTok dances, and Pokemon Go — Iowa City Community Theatre’s newest performance combines new tech with classic Dungeons & Dragons lore in a familiar Zoom format. On Dec....

John Orlet (right) and Ben Heirigs (left) act out an interlude in their play “Sawdust” on November 17th, 2021. The play is written by Val Timke and co-directed by Katie Redden and Kiley Rowe will premiere Friday, November 19th, at 8:00PM.

Final undergraduate workshop production of fall semester inspires new perspective of biblical history

Cassandra Parsons, Arts Reporter November 18, 2021

For the Theatre Department’s final workshop production of the semester, undergraduate playwright Val Timke will take audiences in the Theatre Building’s Alan MacVey Theatre back to biblical times. The...

Actors perform during a rehearsal of the play “Smile Medicine” on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. The play is written by Dakota Parobek.

UI grad written play Smile Medicine coming to E.C. Mabie stage

Cassandra Parsons, Arts Reporter November 11, 2021

Smile Medicine will take the E.C. Mabie Theatre stage for the first time this Friday at 8 p.m., with performances through the weekend and into next week. Smile Medicine follows the character of...

Photo of Thayer Theatre, where the UI Department of Theatre Arts has blocked out spaces for social distancing in movement classes.

UI Theatre will bring audiences back together in ‘HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING’

Parker Jones, Arts Reporter November 3, 2021

As in-person events make a comeback into daily life, so does the realization of what it means to be together. UI Theatre’s newest gallery production will feature relatable themes surrounding a return...