Stage set for theatre department’s 2025-26 season
Human emotions and engaging stories take center stage throughout the Hanover College Theatre Department’s 2025-26 season, “In Focus.” With a diverse array of productions, ranging from comedy and horror to classic showtunes and even a twist on holiday tradition, each one zooms in on the distinct aspects of the human experience.
The five-production series, which features all-student casts, will open Oct. 17-19 with a Homecoming weekend presentation of “The Secretaries.” This unique blend of satire, exploitation, horror and comedy provides a fearless look at the warping cultural expectations of femininity.
“The Secretaries,” written by Lisa Kron, Babs Davy, Dominique Dibbell, Peg Healey, and Maureen Angelos, opened in New York City in 1993. Jennifer Schmidt, associate professor of theatre, will direct Hanover’s production.
“The Secretaries” – Oct. 17-19 – tickets available Oct. 3
The holiday season will kick off with a creative twist on a well-known classic. “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Experience” will be performed at the historic Shrewsbury-Windle House in Madison, Ind.
This immersive production of Charles Dickens’ holiday tale, conceived and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Gabriel Vanover, is presented in collaboration with Historic Madison, Inc. “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Experience” will have nine performances during a three-night span, Nov. 13-15.
“Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Experience” – Nov. 13-15 – tickets available Oct. 14 (link coming soon)
Hanover’s theatre department will present “The Wolves” Feb. 13-15. A nominee for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Best Drama, “The Wolves” examines female adolescence through an all-girls soccer team as they take to the pitch each Saturday morning. Vanover will direct this critically acclaimed play, which was written by Sarah DeLappe.
“The Wolves” – Feb. 13-15 – tickets available Jan. 30
“The Moors,” set to be staged March 27-29, will delve into visibility, love, and desperation. Writer Jen Silverman’s dark comedy, to be directed by Vanover, follows two sisters who live on the bleak English moors with their dog, dreaming of love and power. The arrival of a hapless governess and a moor-hen set all three on a strange and dangerous path.
“The Moors” – March 27-27 – tickets available March 13
Hanover’s theatre will close its 2025-26 season May 15 with a one-night-only cabaret performance. “Center Stage: A Century of Song” is an intimate performance of the best showtunes from the past 100 years. Vanover, who conceived “Center Stage: A Century of Song,” will direct the presentation.
“Center Stage: A Century of Song” – May 15 – tickets available May 1
All on-campus productions — “The Secretaries,” “The Wolves,” “The Moors” and “Center Stage: A Century of Song” — will be staged in The Other Place, adjacent to Donner Residence Hall. Admission is free but tickets are required. “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol Experience,” to be presented at the historic Shrewsbury-Windle House, is a paid-ticketed event.
Advanced reservations are required for all performances. For more details about these productions, including performance times, content warnings and accessibility information, visit hanover.edu/theatre.
