The Little Theatre
Each year The Little Theatre produces at least four main stage productions, in addition to student-directed projects and collaborative work with the Music department. Touring professional productions, guest speakers and musical artists also appear in the intimate 209-seat facility.
Scholarship Opportunity
Calling all actors, designers, and techies! CMU is currently offering the "Center Stage" scholarship. The grand prize is a full-tuition scholarship and major scholarships will be given to the top two winners in the categories of Acting and Theatre Design and every participant will receive a scholarship.
Note: Full-tuition scholarship winners are required to live on campus.
Show Information
Tickets: For CMU main stage productions, $15 for general admission, $10 CMU Faculty and Staff, $5 non-CMU student and senior citizens; CMU students free with ID. Price varies for other productions; oftentimes no admission. Check with the box office at 660-248-6281 for details.
Curtain Time: Thursday-Saturday evening performances at 7:00 pm; Sunday matinee performances at 1:30 pm.
Reservations: Individual and group reservations can be made at any time by calling the Little Theatre box office at 660-248-6281. Reserved tickets are held at the box office, and can be picked up and paid for the night of the performance. The Little Theatre accepts cash and checks.
2026 - 2027 Season
*Please note the change in curtain time for evening shows this year. Thursday through Saturday evening shows will begin at 7:00 p.m.
A Little Night Music
Book by Hugh Wheeler; Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Directed by Steven Minning ‘75. Music Direction by Dr. Jonathan Ray
Set in 1900 Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress, Desirée Armfeldt, and the men who love her: Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus Malcom. When she performs in Fredrik's town, their passion rekindles, striking a flurry of jealousy between Desirée; Fredrik; Fredrick's wife, Anne; the Count; and the Count's wife, Charlotte. They all go to the country for a weekend of romantic entanglements and surprises.
Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook
by Allison Gregory, based on the books by Barbara Parks. Directed by Arielle Prince ‘25
Something terrible happened to Junie B. Jones at school today! Someone stole her new furry mittens! So when Junie B. finds a wonderful pen of many colors, she should be allowed to keep it, right? Because finders keepers, losers weepers. And guess what? There’s a new boy in kindergarten and he is the handsomest. The only thing is both Grace and Lucille want him to be their boyfriend. Maybe he will love Junie B. when he sees her wonderful pen! It is okay to keep it, right? Junie B. Jones is not a crook... or is she?
Performances: November 11-15, 2026
November 11-13 performances are school day matinees presented for elementary schools in our region. Public performances will be on Saturday at 7:00 and Sunday at 1:30.
Student Directing Scenes
The students taking our Directing Techniques class will present a slate of one-act shows as the culmination of their class activities. FREE ADMISSION TO THIS BONUS EVENT!
Performances: December 4-5, 2026
A Night of Four Operas
Directed by Dr. Jonathan Ray. Accompanied by Professor Zachary Kierstead
In honor of the 20th anniversary of the passing of Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti (1911-2007), CMU Opera proudly presents a diverse quadruple header of his most beloved operatic works. Don't let that scare you -- these four short works will clock in at the length of one regular show. Plus, each short work will be performed entirely in English, so following the stories will be a cinch! You will laugh, cry, and everything in-between!
- A Hand of Bridge (1959) Music by Samuel Barber; Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti
- The Old Maid and the Thief (1939) Music and Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti
- The Telephone (1947)Music and Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti
- Amahl and the Night Visitors (1951)Music and Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti
Performances: February 19-20, 2027
3rd Annual Student-written Ten-Minute Play Festival
CMU students will present Concert Readings of their original ten-minute plays created in Professor Lonna Wilke’s Playwriting class. John Cariani, author of Almost, Maine and Love/Sick, both of which we have presented at The Little Theatre, will join us for one of the performances to provide commentary and feedback to our students.
Performances: April 2-3, 2027
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
by Ken Ludwig. Directed by Dr. Mark Kelty
Sherwood begins with a young man who believes in nothing but a good time until he comes face to face with the kind of greed and inhumanity that won’t let him sleep at night. Suddenly Robin’s an outlaw hiding in Sherwood Forest where he joins up with Little John, Friar Tuck, and a feisty adventuress, Maid Marian Fitzwalter, who steals his heart and won’t give it back. This classic story of courage is based on the English ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries and is filled, like its hero, with thrills, romance and a deep belief in social justice.
Performances: April 22-25, 2027
Cultural Affairs
Each year CMU sponsors a Cultural Affairs Series. Theatrical and music productions, poets and lecturers are some of the events included in the series. Please check the CMU Event Calendar for upcoming performance dates.
Academic Programs
Learn more about CMU's Theatre programs.
