Second Stage Laboratory Projects
2026-2027
What Would Have to Happen?
Project Lead: Saniah Johnson
Sunday, October 11 @ 5:00p.m.
Underground Theatre | Purchase Tickets
What Would Have To Happen? is an original one-act play presented as a staged reading that explores the fragile intersection of love and mental illness within a young couple’s relationship. Set over the course of a week, the story follows Sadie as her intrusive thoughts—embodied by a haunting “Voice”—begin to unravel her sense of security and self-worth. Blending realism with internalized theatrical style, the play examines the quiet battles we fight within ourselves and the cost of believing we are unlovable.
That's Absurd!
Project Lead: Corin Friese
Saturday, October 31 @ 2:00p.m. & Sunday, November 1 @ 5:00p.m.
Underground Theatre | Purchase Tickets
Inspired by the theatrical tradition of Samuel Beckett and the Theatre of the Absurd, That’s Absurd! is a collaborative writing and devising workshop exploring life’s strange, humorous, and hopeful moments. A team of student playwrights and designers will create a series of short original pieces reflecting on the beauty and absurdity of human existence. Development/Writing week will take place September 28 - October 2. Rehearsal/Tech will take place October 26-30. NOTE: Playwrights may also serve as performers.
For The Praise of Love
Project Lead: Danny Kaatz
Thursday, December 3 @ 4:30p.m.
Mundelein Studio 125 | Purchase Tickets
Inspired by Plato’s Symposium, For Praise of Love is a collaborative writing-room project in which a group of student playwrights explore love, politics, and philosophy through a series of newly created speeches and scenes. Drawing on contemporary perspectives while reimagining classical forms, the ensemble will craft a work that asks what it means to search for connection in an uncertain world.
Weekly meetings will occur Thursdays from 4:15 to 6:00p.m.. Meetings will occur August 27 - November 19 during the Fall Semester. If you interested in For The Praise of Love, you can enroll yourself in THTR 323 - 14E.
The Mountain
Project Lead: Carlos Carmona
Saturday, February 6 @ 7:30p.m. & Sunday, February 7 @ 5:00p.m.
Underground Theatre | Purchase Tickets
Two old flames reconnect in a small town in the mountains of Appalachia. They reminisce about their pasts while discussing a possible future together.
THE RUINS: excerpts from Toby Fox's UNDERTALE
Project Lead: Jay Van Beest
Saturday, February 20 @ 2:00p.m. & Sunday, February 21 @ 5:00p.m.
Underground Theatre | Purchase Tickets
A human child discovers a secret underground realm of monsters, presenting them with opportunities to be kind, be stoic, or be ruthless. How will they interact with this newfound world? That's up to you—yes, you! This interactive production accepts Toby Fox's invitation to "come behind the wall with [him]" and aims to fulfil his intention for his games to be monochrome copies that the audience colors in themselves. This Second Stage project will demonstrate how an audience can work in tandem with performers to create a story unique to each individual performance, like playing a video game.
The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors
Project Lead: Elizaveta Azrapinka
Saturday, March 20 @ 2:00p.m. & Sunday, March 21 @ 5:00p.m.
Underground Theatre | Purchase Tickets
The Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors is a theatrical adaptation of a captivating Soviet fairy tale by Vitaly Gubarev. It follows a young girl, Olya, who enters a mysterious world behind the mirror and meets Aylo, a living embodiment of her flaws. Together, they embark on a journey of self-reflection and moral growth, searching for truth in a world of illusions.