The Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities

THEATRE PERFORMANCES

white pill and pink heart on a red background with text "The Effect by Lucy Prebble, directed by Brett Olson"

THE EFFECT

By Lucy Prebble
Directed by Brett Olson

September 12-13  |  Studio A
September 12 at 7 pm
September 13 at 2pm

A FreshINK staged reading

FREE

Hearts racing. Minds reeling. Knees buckling. Connie and Tristan have palpable chemistry—or is it a side effect of a new antidepressant? They are volunteers in a clinical trial, but their sudden and illicit romance forces the supervising doctors to face off over the ethical consequences of their work.
 

A broken tv with a lit candle inside on a dark forest background with text "Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play"

MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY

by Anne Washburn
Score by Michael Friedman
Lyrics by Anne Washburn
Directed by Brian Gill

October 10-19  |  Black Box Theatre
October 10, 11, 17, 18 at 7 pm
October 12, 19 at 2 pm

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After the collapse of civilization, a group of survivors share a campfire and begin to piece together the plot of The Simpsons episode “Cape Feare” entirely from memory. Seven years later, this and other snippets of pop culture (sitcom plots, commercials, jingles and pop songs) have become the live entertainment of a post-apocalyptic society, sincerely trying to hold onto its past. Seventy-five years later, these are the myths and legends from which new forms of performance are created.

A paean to live theater, and the resilience of Bart Simpson through the ages, Mr. Burns is an animated exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another.
 

A wintery house inside a heart shape lined with mistletoe and text "Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley"

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY

By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
Directed by Amy Bates*
*Parkside student director

Nov. 21-Dec. 7  |  Main Stage Theatre
Nov 21, 22 & Dec 5, 6 at 7 pm
Nov 23 & Dec 7 at 2 pm

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A sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice set two years after the novel ends, Miss Bennet continues the story, only this time with bookish middle-sister Mary as its unlikely heroine. Mary is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.
 

Spain

SPAIN

By Jen Silverman
Directed by Joycelyn Fish*
*Parkside student director

February 20-21  |  Studio A
February 20 at 7 pm
February 21 at 2 pm

A FreshINK staged reading

FREE

Step into a sophisticated, slippery world where the line between truth and fiction is all in the packaging. It's 1936, and a pair of passionate filmmakers have landed their next big project: a sweeping Spanish Civil War film with the potential to change American hearts and minds. It just happens to be bankrolled by the KGB. This seductive and funny new play about the art of propaganda and the dangerous ongoing Disinformation Age explores how art can change the world—for better and worse.
 

Silhouette of an old town on a purple night sky with a big full moon in the center and text "Our Town by Thornton Wilder"

OUR TOWN

By Thornton Wilder
Directed by Mary Kerr

March 6-15 | Black Box Theatre
March 6, 7, 13, 14 at 7 pm
March 13 at 10am (HS Matinee)
March 8, 15 at 2 pm

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The little town of Grover’s Corners contains multitudes. Centered around George and Emily, a young couple in love, the story of their lives together evolves as the acts carry on, intertwined with the story of the town itself, the narrative stewarded by an all-knowing stage manager. A timeless tale that gently reminds us about the importance of appreciating the life we have, and the people with whom we share it. 

Learn more about Wisconsinite Thornton Wilder and productions of his works at thorntonwilder.com
 

Silhouette of a woman sitting on a stool smoking on a red background with a swastika and text to the right "Cabaret"

CABARET

Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Directed by Brett Olson

May 1-10  |  Main Stage Theatre
May 1, 2, 8, 9 at 7 pm
May 3, 10 at 2 pm

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In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available for purchase online or at the Rita Box Office.

Individual Tickets
Adults | $20
Seniors | $15
Faculty/Staff | $15
Students/Youth* | $10
*Youth tickets are not available for all shows

ParksideSTUDIO
Adults | $10
Seniors/Faculty/Staff/Students | $5

Each theatre arts major/minor receives one comp ticket. 

Please note that all ticket sales are final and that we do not provide refunds nor guarantee exchanges. We will do our best to exchange individual tickets for other concerts/productions but can make no promises that alternate ticketing will be available.

Order your tickets online

You can also call 262-595-2564 to speak with our staff about available tickets or information on current and upcoming performances, or visit the Rita Box Office near the main entrance to the Rita. Please note we cannot do ticket sales over the phone.

RECENTLY ON STAGE


Spring Awakening: PROGRAM
The Laramie Project: PROGRAM
Meteor Shower: PROGRAM
When We Dead Awaken: PROGRAM

Rita Box Office

262-595-2564
boxoffice@uwp.edu
Located in The Rita entrance lobby
 

Fall '25 Semester Hours
Mon & Fri | 12–4 pm
Tues-Thurs | 12–2 pm
One hour prior to ticketed performances

About The Rita

Since 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has continued to build a reputation as an outstanding liberal arts institution with particularly strong fine arts programs. With The Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts & Humanities, our state-of-the-art instructional facilities and stunning performance venues match our award-winning academic programs and provide even greater community access. Read more.

Directions to The Rita  |  Download Campus Map

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