"Welcome to Thebes" by Moira Buffini

Date/Time:
Friday, May 1, 2026
7:30 pm – 9:15 pm

Offer:
General Seating — 2 Tickets

Event Details:

Directed by Cooper Lajeunesse, Presented by the BFA Acting 2026, Stoll Thrust Theatre, Rarig Center

Set in the immediate aftermath of a brutal civil war, Welcome to Thebes reimagines the ancient Greek myths of Sophocles through the lens of 21st-century global politics. Thebes is a city in ruins, struggling to establish a fragile democracy under its newly elected President, Eurydice. As she faces the impossible task of rebuilding a traumatized nation, she must navigate the interference of Theseus?the suave, opportunistic leader of the superpower Athens?and the rising voices of a populace desperate for both justice and bread. Premiered at the National Theatre in 2010, it is celebrated for its ambitious scale and its refusal to provide easy answers to the problems of post-war reconstruction.

A Milestone Performance for the Class of 2026

This production represents the final ensemble performance for the BFA Acting Class of 2026, showcasing four years of rigorous training in voice, movement, and classical interpretation. Choosing a play of this magnitude?featuring a massive cast and a complex "shattered present" aesthetic?highlights the technical skill and emotional depth of this graduating cohort.

A Convergence of Faculty Mastery and MFA Talents

The visual and auditory world of Welcome to Thebes?a play that navigates the intersection of ancient myth and modern political fragility?is brought to life by a team that bridges professional mentorship with graduate-level experimentation.

Runtime: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission

Location:
Stoll Thrust Theatre - Rarig Center
330 21st Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Parking Information:
The 21st Avenue Ramp
Enter on 21st Avenue, near the corner of S. 4th Street
Covered parking available, handicap spaces available, accepts credit cards and cash

Lot 94
Enter on S. 5th Street, near 21st Avenue
Handicap spaces available, accepts credit cards and cash, approx .2 miles from Rarig Center

Riverside Avenue
Street metered parking is sometimes available on Riverside Avenue.
Accepts cash and MPLS Parking App

For more information about UMN parking please visit https://www.pts.umn.edu/park/visitorparking.

Accessibility Information:
For ASL interpreting (or any other disability-related accommodations), please contact Qiuxia Welch at huxx0071@umn.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.

Organization Details:

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities Department of Theatre Arts & Dance is a robust and well-rounded producing hub for creation, exploration, and artistic excellence. Our primary mission is to educate our students and our audiences about the performing arts and about the social issues and human emotions the arts speak to so powerfully. We are committed to realizing this mission by creating, producing, and studying works of theatre and dance, and performing them publicly for diverse audiences drawn from both the University and the community at large.

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Offer: General Seating — 2 Tickets

Date/Time: Friday, May 1, 2026 7:30 pm

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