UC Irvine Drama’s 2025–26 Mainstage Season

Performances champion courage, connection and legacy

Irvine, Calif., June 5, 2025 — The 2025–26 mainstage season at UC Irvine’s Department of Drama explores the complexities of human connection, where themes of courage, identity and intergenerational legacy unfold through family dramas, mythic quests, backstage farces and surrealist meditations.

Led by Department of Drama Chair Professor of Teaching Joel Veenstra, the 60th anniversary season presents a dynamic lineup spanning history, styles and lived experiences: a musical inspired by a 19th-century novel of sisterhood in the Civil War; a physical theatre piece based on a 14th-century poem; a farce celebrating comedy and the love of theatre and a new play by an award-winning Latine playwright with works being developed by leading theaters nationwide. The season also accompanies Emergent Series and Off the Grid projects, featuring Shakespeare, improv, student-led productions and new works.

“I am incredibly excited for our 60th season, which is a significant milestone that shines a spotlight on the university’s mission of discovery and innovation,” said Veenstra. “This season isn’t just a showcase of talent, it is a journey into new ideas, fresh perspectives and powerful stories that challenge how we see the world and each other. It will be a season of unforgettable shared experiences that embody the spirit of exploration and creativity at the heart of our community.”

The 2025–26 mainstage season highlights the work of student designers, actors and technicians in collaboration with faculty directors and guest artists across venues such as the Irvine Barclay Theatre, xMPL (Experimental Media Performance Lab), Claire Trevor Theatre and Robert Cohen Theatre.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, through the Arts Box Office.

Little Women, The Broadway Musical
Book by Allan Knee Music by Jason Howland Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein 
Based upon the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Nov. 20–23, 2025 | Irvine Barclay Theatre

The season opens with Little Women, the beloved Broadway musical based on Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel. Directed by Myrona DeLaney with music direction by Roland Perold, the show follows the spirited March sisters as they chase dreams, endure heartbreak and come of age in Civil War-era America. With with music direction by Roland Perold, scenic design by Mariko Cilley, costume design by Christina Alvarez, lighting design by Avery Reagan, sound design by Eric Backus, dramaturgy by Tianding He and stage management by DJ Maloney, this musical celebrates the enduring power of family, imagination and resilience.

Little Women is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI at mtishows.com.

The Green Knight
Translated by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage
Adapted by Annie Loui
Dec. 5–13, 2025 | Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)

Closing out fall quarter is The Green Knight, a contemporary physical-theatre adaptation of the medieval epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, based on the translation by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. Adapted and directed by Annie Loui, this CounterBalance Theater production combines stylized movement with poetic narration as Sir Gawain journeys through temptation, honor and mortality. The production features scenic & projection design by Genesis Tanner, costume design by Rebecca Shephard, lighting design by Mac McDermott, sound design by Ben Scheff and stage management by Jordyn McEvoy.

Noises Off
By Michael Frayn
March 6–14, 2026 | Claire Trevor Theatre

Winter quarter launches with Noises Off, Michael Frayn’s legendary backstage farce, directed by Eli Simon. A company of actors attempts to hold their play, Nothing On, together, but missed cues, flying sardines and romantic entanglements bring everything hilariously off the rails. With scenic design by Gretchen Ugalde, costume design by Kari Setlak, lighting design by Hayden Kirschbaum, sound design by Andrew Yoder and stage management by Daniel Rosales, Noises Off promises wild and witty productions through the joys and disasters of live theater.

Noises Off is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. concordtheatricals.com.

at the very bottom of a body of water
By Benjamin Benne
May 7–16, 2026 | Robert Cohen Theatre

Directed by Juliette Carrillo, Benjamin Benne’s lyrical drama at the very bottom of a body of water closes the season with a surreal and emotionally charged meditation on grief, memory and family. Through dreamlike vignettes and a haunting central image — a fish gutted live on stage — the play asks how we carry love and loss across generations. With projection design by Yee Eun Nam, costume design by Lyall Hovey, lighting design by Rachel Fields, sound design by Matt Feeney and stage management Sammie Moore, this poignant piece is recommended for adult audiences seeking an intimate theatrical experience that lingers long after the curtain call.

The 2025-26 mainstage season combines the work of students and faculty alike, across all disciplinary modes and identifications. A proud leader of interdisciplinary work, the UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts values and continues to forge creative connections within its departments (Art, Dance, Drama, Music) and across campus.

Learn more about the Department of Drama at drama.arts.uci.edu.

About the Claire Trevor School of the Arts: The UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts is where scholarly research and creative activity converge. As the only comprehensive arts school in the University of California system, it includes four departments: art, dance, drama and music. The school offers 15 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and two minors that combine rigorous artistic training with a world-class liberal arts education. Named for Academy Award-winning actress Claire Trevor, the school presents more than 200 public performances, exhibitions and lectures each year. Students and faculty engage in studio practice, performance, academic study and interdisciplinary research, often collaborating across campus and within the community. Recognized nationally for its excellence, access and affordability, the school prepares the next generation of creative leaders who shape culture, drive innovation and make a difference in the world. For more information, visit arts.uci.edu.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit uci.edu.