Tag Archives: Xavier University Theatre

(CINCINNATI, March 16, 2026) – Xavier University Theatre celebrates its 100th program production and final show of the 2025-2026 season with SPRING AWAKENING, running April 10-18.

SPRING AWAKENING is an exhilarating rock musical about the challenges and discoveries of growing up. The winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it follows a group of students navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood through a powerful story of youth, rebellion, and self‑discovery. A landmark work, SPRING AWAKENING energizes audiences with its fusion of morality, exploration, and rock‑and‑roll.

Stephen Skiles, Chair of the Music & Theatre Department and director of this year’s production, shares his excitement for this important achievement: “Over the decades, hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and guest artists have participated in theatre at Xavier. Our 2025–26 season is a celebration of the people who have dedicated countless hours and endless passion, both on and off the stage. First produced at Xavier Theatre in 2015, SPRING AWAKENING will mark the 100th production since the start of the new Theatre degree in 2013, and we can think of no better way to celebrate than by revisiting some of our most memorable productions from those first years, including SPRING AWAKENING.”

Senior Leo Jenkins (he/him), who plays Moritz, reflects on the significance of the show and the honor of it being the program’s 100th production: “For me, SPRING AWAKENING is a story about young people who are not listened to; who are not seen as mature enough to learn about the things that truly matter as they grow up. With Moritz, you see someone trying his best but is continually let down by the adults in his life and pushed to his limits. That story alone is incredibly powerful. The fact that we are presenting this musical again for our 100th production only reinforces how relevant the message still is today.”

Regan Utrup (she/her), an alum and one of the production’s assistant directors, describes the impact of returning to the Xavier Theatre community: “Assistant directing SPRING AWAKENING at Xavier has been an impactful continuation of my theatre education and a meaningful return to the place where I learned my craft. Working on this piece has reminded me that even in a world where information is instantly available at the touch of a screen, it remains vital to understand the dangers of misinformation and ignorance, especially for the younger generations shaping our future. I strongly encourage people to experience this story, its message, and of course, Duncan Sheik’s rockin’ score.”

Senior Sean Moss (he/him), who plays Melchior, reflects on his final year with Xavier Theatre: “Being part of Xavier Theatre’s 100th production since the major began is an honor. I can’t imagine a better show to be part of during my senior year. SPRING AWAKENING, though set in late‑19th‑century Germany, carries tremendous weight today, and it’s a story I’m thrilled to help tell. It also means the world to me that my last show here at Xavier is directed by Stephen Skiles. There is no one I would rather work with as my time here comes to a close.”

The cast also includes seniors Brookelyn Duncan (Adult Female) and Ben Hunt (Otto/Ulbrecht); juniors Luke Heetderks (Ernst/Reinhold), Gracie Phlipot (Thea), Cohen Rice (Adult Male), Brianna Starkey (Ensemble), Jamie Swisshelm (Ilse), and Bri Willingham (Martha); sophomores Olivia Burklow (Ensemble), Molly Ciuci (Ensemble), Tylen Gordon (Hanschen/Rupert), Taylor Mattingly (Wendla), and Anya Sperber (Martha); and first‑years Enzo Battaglia (Georg/Dieter) and Sophie Mullins (Ensemble).

The production is directed and produced by Stephen Skiles, with music direction by Scot Buzza. The design team includes Joe Beumer (Lighting & Set Designer), Jessica Pitcairn (Costume Designer), Jason Sebastian (Sound Designer), and Joe Leonard (Technical Director). Additional technical and design team members include Xavier Theatre alum Kelsey Schwarber (Assistant Director); Jaime Israel (Assistant Costume Designer); Hannah Barbee and Devyn Wallace (Costume Crew); Anna Meister and Nita Rajagopalan (Sound Team); alum Alec Schneider (Master Electrician); Nicole Grace (Light Board Operator); and Josi Pietrzyk and Loften Cooper (Spotlight Operators). The show is choreographed by Xavier alum Jenna Treinen. The stage manager is Anna Hittepole, with assistant stage managers Ellie McKenna and Annaliese Monahan.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 10, 11, 17, and 18, with matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on April 12 and 18. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for Xavier students, faculty, and staff. Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, visit: https://xaviertheatre.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200515469

Xavier University Theatre Presents
Slut Shaming, February 19^th – February 22^nd

(CINCINNATI, January 20^th, 2026) – Xavier University Theatre continues its 2025-26 production season with Trey Tatum’s SLUT SHAMING, running February 19^th – 22^nd.

Lauren Lucas, a time traveler, views her attack, the trial, the aftermath, and her life-at-large simultaneously. She sees the woman she will become, the undamaged girl she once was; she learns how far into the future this event will consume her. And then she wakes up in the present, in high school, and she knows the struggles that lay waiting. The Artists’ Pick of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival, SLUT SHAMING is a Time-Travel Rape Adventure that explores how small-town communities aggravate teenage sexual assault. This will mark the third production of SLUT SHAMING at Xavier Theatre since 2016.

SLUT SHAMING challenges audiences to connect and confront the ways judgment and labels shape our lives. Sophomore Molly Ciuci (she/her), stage manager, embraces her role on this production saying, “SLUT SHAMING is a powerful story that I am honored to work on alongside an amazing cast. Working on a show with the playwright in the room is a unique and cool experience!”

Sophomore Nicole Grace, who plays Lauren 1, reflects the truth behind the show and its real-world roots. She explains, “SLUT SHAMING is an extremely powerful show, inspired by a true story. All the social media posts shared in the play are from actual comments. Although the subject is hard to talk about it is also very important.”

In speaking about her involvement in this production, sophomore Anna Meister, who plays Lauren 2, shares her enthusiasm and the significance of its message. She says, “I am very excited to have the opportunity to be in a room filled with a bunch of amazing women all working on a show about what it means to be a woman growing up in modern day. It’s a play that speaks directly on topics that historically have been frowned upon when spoken out loud, especially when the ones speaking are women. I’m extremely glad I get to be a part of this process that features women openly discussing these topics.”

The cast also includes sophomore Anna Hittepole (Lauren 3).

The play is directed by Bridget Leak. The design team includes Joe Beumer (Light Designer), Jessica Pitcairn (Costume Designer), Trey Tatum (Sound Designer & Playwright), and Joe Leonard (Technical Director). Other technical positions include Alec Schneider (Master Electrician), Hanna Wolke (Asst. Costume Designer), Irene Ferrell (Light Board Operator), Raya Franklin (Sound Board Operator), Veronica Talbert (Props Designer), and Kyra Sander (Props Designer and Costume Crew). Assisting the stage manager is Isabella Varricchio and Sam Eaton. The show is produced by Stephen Skiles.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on February 19^th, 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd, and 2:00 pm on February 21^st, and 22^nd. Tickets are available now. They are $20 each for adults and $15 each for Xavier students, faculty and staff. Seating is limited.

To purchase tickets, visit https://xaviertheatre.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200483793.

Xavier University Theatre Presents
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ABRIDGED (REVISED), February 12th – February 15th

(CINCINNATI, January 16th, 2026) – Xavier University Theatre continues its 2025-26 production season with the hilarious and popular comedy, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, ABRIDGED (REVISED), February 12th – February 15th .

All 37 Plays in 97 Minutes! An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: (ABRIDGED) was London’s longest-running comedy! Join these madcap players in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.

Xavier professor, Dave Powell (he/him), director of Complete Works, captures the spirited tone of the show and shares his enthusiasm, saying, “I love this because it’s a fun and hilarious introduction to Shakespeare’s work. This show is for lovers of the bard, and for those that have no idea why Montagues hate the Capulets.”

Junior Hannah Barbee (she/her), who plays Jess Winfield, highlights the heart and relevance of the show: “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare is not only a hilarious smorgasbord of comedic tricks and bits, but it is a representation of Shakespeare’s continued influence on literature and academia. This show demonstrates how, even hundreds of years later, we continue to be drawn to ideals of love (Romeo and Juliet), betrayal (Julius Caesar), and fate (Macbeth). It is, dare I say, a representation of the human condition in its illustration of the need to laugh, cry, and understand. I am honored to bring it to life with some of the most hilarious and thoughtful people I have ever met and to be under the direction of a true genius in the field of comedic art, Dave Powell.”

Sophomore Olivia Burklow (she/her), stage manager, emphasizes the fast energy and infectious spirit of the comedy, explaining, “As someone who grew up on the ridiculous humor of Mel Brooks, this has been the perfect show for me to stage manage. With the comedic genius of both the actors and the director, this has been easily the most

entertaining show I have ever been a part of. If you love the classics like “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” or “The Princess Bride”, The Complete Works is a theatre production you won’t want to miss!”

The cast also includes Josi Pietrzyk (junior) and Loften Cooper (sophomore).

The show is directed by Dave Powell. The design team includes Joe Beumer (Light Designer), Jessica Pitcairn (Costume Designer), Raya Franklin (Sound Designer), and Joe Leonard (Set Designer and Technical Director). Other technical and designer team members include Bailee Price (Props Designer), Annaliese Monahan (Props Designer), Corinne Tiernan (Asst. Costume Designer), Alec Schneider (Master Electrician), Sean Moss (Light Board Operator), Enzo Battaglia (Run Crew), Jaime Israel (Costume Crew), Anna Smith (Costume Crew), and Tylen Gordon (Costume Crew). The assistant stage managers are Loretta Rubin and Lilliana Stiverson. The show is produced by Stephen Skiles.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on February 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 2:00 pm on February 14th and 15th. Tickets are available now. They are $20 each for adults and $15 each for Xavier students, faculty and staff. Seating is limited.

To purchase tickets, visit https://xaviertheatre.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200483791.