The 2008-2009 Mainstage Series presented by Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance features two contemporary plays, two musicals, and two original dance concerts. All of these productions are staged by our talented student performers and faculty directors and designers in the 410-seat University Theatre, located behind Emens Auditorium, across the plaza south of Bracken Library. Season subscriptions and individual tickets are available for these productions (see Mainstage Series Tickets). This season's schedule:

Violet
By Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley
September 25-27, October 1-4 at 7:30pm
September 28 at 2:30pm
Directed by Beth Turcotte
Musical direction by Chris Bott

A freak accident while chopping wood left thirteen-year-old Violet Karl horribly disfigured. Now twenty-five, Violet sets out in search of a new life and a new face, meeting a host of characters, including two soldiers who vie for her affections, along the way. Climb aboard the Greyhound and follow Violet on her down home healing journey through life, love, and the ultimate acceptance of herself.

Camino Real
By Tennesse Williams
November 13-15, 19-22 at 7:30pm
November 16 at 2:30pm
Directed by Karen Kessler

What happens to a dreamer deferred? Does he flee from his fears, or simply die and disappear? Does she hide and gather might, or stand and fall in plain sight? For those who have lost their way, life's journey takes a strange road to the surreal world of Camino Real, where deferred dreamers gather, pilgrims looking for an oasis of renewal find a mirage of self-delusion and those too scared and scarred to live find a place to wait for the end.

The Devil Made Me Dance
Ball State Dance Theatre
December 11-13 at 7:30pm
December 14 at 2:30 p.m.
Artistic Directors: Lou Ann Young and Audra Sokol

Lucifer, Mephistopheles, Beezelbub, Hades: call him what you will, the devil has influenced countless stories over thousands of years. Now the world's ultimate villian makes his way to University Theatre. Dance with the devil as we trace his journey through time with the dazzling choreography and skillfull dance you've come to enjoy from Ball State Dance Theatre.

The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
February 12-14, 18-21 at 7:30pm
February 15 at 2:30 p.m.
Directed by Michael Daehn

Oscar Wilde's immortal comedy of (bad) manners follows the "bunburying" adventures of bachelors Jack and Algernon as they pursue their true loves. But both girls have their hearts set on marrying Ernest, no matter who he is. Wilde's trivial comedy for serious people is equal parts witty, wise and wickedly funny.

Dance Revelations
Ball State Dance Theatre
March 26-28 at 7:30pm
March 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Artistic Directors Lou Ann Young and Audra Sokol

The timeless art of dance meets emerging media in a cutting-edge concert unlike anything you've seen before. Explore new technological landscapes in a body-meets-science world where anything is possible, and a variety of dance styles are re-imagined for the twenty-first century.

The Full Monty
By Terrence McNally and David Yazbeck
April 23-25, April 29-May 2 at 7:30pm
April 26 at 2:30pm
Directed by Harold Mortimer
Choreography by Michael Worcel

What's an unemployed steel worker from Buffalo, NY to do when even the Bills can't win? With all self-esteem gone, nagged and hounded by friends and family, six men bond together over one crazy idea to make money and restore their manhood: chase those women-stealin'-male-strippers out of town and give Buffalo a show to remember! Based on the hit 1997 film of the same name, a musical with true heart and a whole lot of showmanship, The Full Monty will leave you cheering in the aisles!