Riverland Theatre’s second production of the 2025–2026 season is The Spotlight, an original showcase of scenes, monologues, and musical numbers performed by Riverland Theatre students. This year’s showcase highlights an exciting range of contemporary and classic material, featuring selections from Uncle Vanya, The Baltimore Waltz, Crimes of the Heart, Wonder of the World, Talley’s Folly, Dinner with Friends, The Nether, The Gulf, The Imaginary Invalid,Orphans, She Kills Monsters, John Proctor Is the Villain, Collective Rage, How to Clean Your Room and Remember All Your Trauma, Ride the Cyclone, The Children’s Hour, and more.

The 2025 production is directed by Meagan Morrow, with John Deyo serving as technical director and Brian Johnson as musical mirector. This year’s showcase features performances by Maggie Bremner, Jadon Fimon, Molly Robins, Antonio Morales, Jocelyn Voth, Olivia Mix, Tehya Orr, Maddie Russell, Tony Palesotti and Moyra Voigt.

“Spotlight is exciting because it’s as diverse as our students,” said director Meagan Morrow. “They played an active role in selecting their material, choosing pieces that challenge them and reflect who they are as artists.”

The Spotlight was created to support Riverland Theatre students who plan to compete at the Region 5 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), held each January. Representatives from each participating region advance to the National Festival at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The Spotlight will be performed Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on Riverland’s Austin East Campus. Individual tickets are $15 and are available now at www.riverland.edu/tickets, 24 hours a day. The online ticketing system accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. The on-campus box office will open for in-person sales one hour prior to each performance. Riverland students receive two free tickets with a valid student ID. For questions, contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or email boxoffice@riverland.edu.

This showcase is intended for high school–aged audiences or older.

Riverland Theatre remains committed to producing high-quality work that entertains, challenges, and inspires both audiences and artists. Because we serve a diverse community, some patrons may find certain themes, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about specific content, we encourage you to research the material before attending.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.