The 2025-26 Linfield theatre season includes a Shakespeare tragedy, a playful musical and more
The Linfield University Theatre Program has announced its upcoming season. During the 2025-26, the program celebrates its 105th year of performance with a dynamic mix of classics and creativity. The new season includes the return of a beloved Linfield tradition, a bold Shakespearean tragedy, an imaginative musical and an outdoor arts event.
Kicking things off with creativity: Linfield Follies
The season opens with the return of “Linfield Follies: The jazz Age,” a fast-paced variety show directed and curated by students. This show puts student creativity front and center through music, dance, comedy and acting. Audience members can enjoy the students’ artistic and performance abilities not featured through traditional plays and musicals.
- Performance dates: Sept. 5–6, 2025.
Witches, war and ambition: Macbeth
Opening just in time for Halloween is Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, “Macbeth,” directed by Linfield faculty member Lindsey Mantoan. Packed with haunting lines (“Out, out, damn spot!” and “Double, double toil and trouble”), this dark and riveting tale follows a soldier’s descent into power-hungry madness. Set in medieval Scotland but eerily relevant today, the production dives deep into themes of corruption, prophecy and violence.
- Performance dates: Oct. 30–31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 6–9, 2025.
Imagination in wartime: Alice by Heart
In the spring, Linfield presents “Alice by Heart,” a poignant musical by the creators of “Spring Awakening.” Set in a London Tube station during World War II, the story follows two teens who escape the horrors of war by disappearing into Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” With a moving score and stunning visual storytelling, “Alice by Heart” explores the bittersweet process of facing grief, change, and coming of age. Book by Steven Sater and Jessie Nelson; music by Duncan Sheik; and lyrics by Steven Sater. Directed by Linfield faculty member Janet Gupton. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International and in collaboration with the Linfield Department of Music.
- Performance dates: April 30–May 2 and May 7–10, 2026.
New tradition, fresh energy: The Linfield Arts Crawl
The season concludes with the second annual Linfield Arts Crawl, a lively, interactive event showcasing performances and installations across the university’s Arts Quad. Expect scenes, monologues, music, opera, senior art exhibitions and original creative writing — all in one immersive evening, with food and drinks available on site. It’s a celebration of collaboration, creativity and community spirit.
- Event date: May 2026 (Specific date TBA)
Linfield University offers an academic major and minor in theatre arts and a minor in musical theatre. Students in the program get hands-on experience in all aspects of production — from lighting and set design to costuming, makeup and acting. Linfield also offers the state’s only four-year theatre teacher preparation program. Learn more about Linfield’s Theatre Arts Program at https://www.linfield.edu/tca/theatre-arts-program.html.
Special thanks to Damian Lillard Toyota and the Lacroute Art Series, generous sponsors of Linfield’s performing arts programs.
Get the most up-to-date information about Arts at Linfield at https://www.linfield.edu/arts.
