We produce in two theatres—beautiful Vangstad Auditorium—a traditional proscenium theatre, and in Theatre 320, a flexible black-box theatre that seats just over 100.

We have a successful season ticket program which brings in audiences from around the area, and which helps finance some high-quality productions on stage.

Upcoming Events

It was a Dark and Stormy Night by Tim Kelly -October 17 - 20, 2007 - Vangstad Auditorium

The first production will be It Was a Dark and Stormy Night, by Tim Kelly. Described at times as “The Addams family meets Arsenic and Old Lace,” the play takes place in an ancient inn in New England, now occupied by three unbalanced cousins, descendants of General Saltmarsh, who deserted George Washington as Valley Forge. The only other occupant is a hired girl, Olive, who seems to be just as demented as the family members. The playwright describes the setting as one that “send Edgar Allen Poe screaming for the safety of the night,” as the action begins with a howling wind.

The Late Christopher Bean by Sidney Howard -November 28 - December 1, 2007 - Theatre 320

The second play is the classic American comedy The Late Christopher Bean, by the great Sidney Howard. Also set in New England, this is a more realistic play focusing on a family who slowly begin to realize that the consumptive artist they supported during his last days has now been “discovered” by New York art critics. Their behavior undergoes astonishing changes as they begin searching the premises for the scattered masterpieces that may be around the house. The suspense, romance, and hilarity build to fever pitch as the play concludes with a big surprise.

South Pacific a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical - February 20 - 30, 2008- Vangstad Auditorium

Kicking off the spring semester is a glorious musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved South Pacific, based on James Michener’s popular Tales of the South Pacific, several stories of World War II in the Pacific theatre. The favorite characters of the show are Lt. Cable and his young love Liat, her mother, Bloody Mary, and other Island and military figures, including the love story of Emile DeBeque, a local French plantation owner, and Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas.

The musical features the sublime numbers “Some Enchanted Evening,” “This Nearly was Mine,” “Younger than Springtime,” and many other famous songs, including the well known “There is Nothing Like a Dame.”

A Festival of One-Act Plays written/directed by VCSU students - April 16 - 19,2008 - Theatre 320

The fourth and final production of the season will be the popular “Festival of One-Act Plays,” written and directed by our own students. The production will be staged in Theatre 320, April 16 – 19, and every effort is being made to ensure a lively and high quality show. “Our one-act plays have been really popular for several years now,” said Kelly, “ and we are going to become even better this year. We already have some scripts in consideration, and we know of at least two students who are promising more scripts. We want to make the show better in every way, and we are well aware of what needs to be done.”

Tickets

The VSCU Theatre box office is standing by, so reserve your tickets today! Or if you wish, become a season subscriber. Both options are available to you when you call the box office at the following number - 701-845-7320. Box office hours are 12 PM to 5 PM Mon-Sat (Mon-Fri in between productions).

Venues

Vangstad Auditorium -Vangstad Auditorium is the venue of many productions in the performing arts in addition to hosting formal University events such as commencement and other celebrations. The EBC fraternity produces an annual Christmas show, the Valley City Area Concert Association hosts concerts and ballet, and VCSU Theatre produces two large theatre events each year, usually a comedy, a musical or a classic play. The Auditorium also hosts two one-act play competitions every year for the North Dakota High School Activities Association.

Vangstad Auditorium is named for the Vangstad Twins, Lena and Thilda, who taught at VCSU for many years, spending a total of more than sixty years of service to the University (then Valley City State Teachers College, and later Valley City State College). Thilda passed away in November of 2005 at the age of 104, and, as of the present date, Lena still lives close to relatives in Osakis, Minnesota.

Theatre 320 - Theatre 320, located on the third floor of McFarland Hall, is the home of theatre at VCSU. Students at all levels of interest and ability work together to make the magic of theare come alive. Different plays ae produced each semester and students may act on stage or work on props, set construction, technical work, publicity, costuming, etc. in each production.

Past Productions

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen - February 28 - March 3 - Vangstad Auditorium

In this masterpiece of modern realism, by Norway's greatest writer, a door slams that was heard around the world. Nora, a young housewife, has been concealinga secret for years, out of a desire to sacrifice for her husband, as she believes he would for her. With her husbands' promotion, events are set in motion that builds the tension. As a woman's basic dignity is revealed, the dishonesty of a marriage based on illusions is exposed in one of the greatest plays of world theatre.

A Festival of One-Act Plays written/directed by VCSU students - April 25 - 28 - Theatre320

Here are some brand new ones! With a bit of mystery and suspense, some real insight, a lot of laughter, and just a little bit of discomfort, our one-act plays allow us into the minds and hearts of young people of today - here and now. The joyous laughter is a gift, the spirit of youth is sometimes heart-wrenching, but these plays allow our students and our audiences to sample home-grown orginality and the quest for humor and honesty in our confusing present reality.

My Three Angels by Sam and Bella Spewak - Fall 2006 - Theatre 320

Set on Christmas Eve in the penal colony of Devil's Island in French Guiana, this famous comedy features a store manager, his wife and their beautiful young daughter. There's more "bah, humbug" than Joyeux Noel: the business is failing, customers won't pay, and the owner is ready to evict them. Then three convicts, hired to fix the roof, happen by to help. One has been sentenced for swindling; the other two for murder, but their Christmas gift is to save the family-aided by Adolph, a truly venomous "character". Read more about this production in an article on the Times Record website.

Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling - Fall 2006 - Vangstad Auditorium

This play, which earned immediate critical and popular appeal when first produced in New York, features a group of chatty Southern ladiesin a Louisiana beauty parlor, owned by Truvy, who knows how to keep her colorful clientele pleased. Alternately hilarious and touching-and in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purpose which underlies the antic banter of these characters-this is a play to remember for a long, long time, even if you've seen the stars who palyed these wondeful characters in the popular film. Read more about this production in an article on the Times Record website.