Sterling College Theatre has unveiled its 2025–2026 season, a dynamic lineup of musicals, plays, and student showcases that highlight the power of performance to bring meaning, hope, joy, and entertainment in turbulent times.
“Our 2025–2026 mainstage season features works born out of turbulent eras or directly focused on profound human struggle, plus they all offer great entertainment as well as being thought-provoking,” said Lesa Brown, Artistic Director of Sterling College Theatre. “In times shadowed by fear and uncertainty, when words so often fail us, artists step in—not to escape the darkness, but to illuminate it. Through metaphor, story, beauty, and performance, these plays draw our attention away from the brink and toward resilience and even joy.”
The season begins in October with the classic musical Bye Bye Birdie (Oct. 17–19), directed by Lesa Brown with music direction by Marisa Callan. This Tony Award-winning favorite, written in 1958, follows an Elvis-like rock star drafted into the Army who travels to a small Ohio town for one last televised kiss with his biggest fan.
In November, Sterling College Theatre presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Rabbit Hole (Nov. 20–22), directed by Technical Theatre faculty member Stephen English. The poignant play by David Lindsay-Abaire explores the aftermath of a devastating loss as a young couple struggles to find healing and a way back into the light.
January brings a special production: Senior Showcase (Jan. 23–24). This performance will spotlight graduating seniors Noah Svaty, Mary Little, and Morgan Pellegrino who will be joined by fellow SC Theatre performers for an evening of musical theatre selections and scenes.
Thornton Wilder’s beloved classic Our Town is next Feb. 26–28. It will be directed by Lesa Brown. Written in the shadow of World War II, the play invites audiences to rediscover meaning in the small details of life and the beauty of human connection.
April’s production is the charming romantic musical She Loves Me (April 17–19), directed by Musical Theatre faculty member Marisa Callan. Set in 1930s Budapest and revived multiple times on Broadway, the show is a heartwarming story about authentic communication and love found in unexpected ways.
The season concludes with the Evening of One-Acts & Dance (May 2), a showcase of student-directed plays and original choreography, highlighting the creativity and talent of Sterling College’s student artists.
All productions will be held in Culbertson Auditorium on the Sterling College campus. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. except for Sundays which are at 2 p.m. Tickets will be available online three weeks before each production as well as at the door before each performance.
Sterling College Theatre is dedicated to entertaining, educating, and enriching the community through high-quality theatrical productions. Rooted in a Christian liberal arts tradition, the program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration in an environment that inspires artistic and personal growth.
