ESU Summer Theatre
The oldest continuously-running summer stock theatre on the Great Plains was created by Dr. Karl C. Bruder at Emporia State University in 1955. This year we'll celebrate our 57th consecutive season of summer entertainment!
Until 1967, ESU Summer Theatre was presented in Albert Taylor Hall and from 1955-1958 featured an astounding 8 shows in 8 weeks! The usual format for the next 21 years (1959-1979) was 6 shows, and since 1980 the current format of 4 shows has been the norm.
ESU Summer Theatre draws audiences from cities and towns throughout Kansas, and from states throughout the region. Hundreds of former ESU students have benefited from the intense training that only a summer stock experience like ESU Summer Theatre can provide. And literally tens of thousands of loyal audience members have thrilled to the outstanding entertainment provided by ESU Summer Theatre. For a listing of previous productions follow the link below.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change - July, 2005
Summer 2012
Dear Friends of Emporia State University Summer Theatre:
Welcome to the 58th season of outstanding summer theatre.
- June 13-16 Dearly Beloved (a comedy)
- June 27-30 Ken Ludwig's Fox on the Fairway (a farce)
- July 11-14 Leaving Iowa (a family comedy)
- July 25-28 U:Bug:Me (a musical for the whole family)
Our season represents a yearlong selection process by our faculty, our students and you—our audiences. This year, we offer two comedies, a musical for children and a new farce by Ken Ludwig. We focus on stories that explore subjects of family life—family, marriage, faith, ecology and golf. Summer time seems an ideal time to explore these comedies that provide us with a tonic from the stresses of every day life. We hope that you will enjoy your visit with our talented students and guest artists.
Our summer theatre program is a vital performing arts activity in the Flint Hills. And by purchasing a ticket you already know what a good value we offer. You also know that the costs of putting on a summer season of plays continue to rise. As you enjoy this summer theatre offering, we hope that you will take a moment to consider a gift to ESU Theatre.
We encourage angels to offer a gift to the Butcher Summer Theatre Fund. As this fund grows, we can better meet the growing costs of producing live theatre and help to underwrite the work of our student artists—the heart of ESU Theatre. You can contact the ESU Communication and Theatre office at 341-5256 or, the ESU Foundation can talk with you about the many ways you can contribute. With your help, we hope to provide live theatre every summer for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Jim Bartruff, Director
ESU Theatre