Wright State Theatre presents back-to-back weekends of ‘A Doll’s House’ stories

Julia Daigh, left, plays Nora in “A Doll’s House” and Alexis Wentworth plays Nora in “A Doll’s House, Part 2″ in the Herbst Studio Theatre in the Creative Arts Center. (Photo courtesy of Wright State Theatre)

Wright State University Theatre will present Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” on Feb. 15–18 and Lucas Hnath’s sequel of sorts, A Doll’s House, Part 2,” on Feb. 22–25 in the Herbst Studio Theatre in the Creative Arts Center.

“A Doll’s House” will be presented on Feb. 15, 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 17 and 18 at 2 p.m.

“A Doll’s House, Part 2” will be presented Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 24 and 25 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for people 60 and older and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Creative Arts Center box office between noon and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or at wrightliberalarts.universitytickets.com.

Frank McGuiness’ adaptation of Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” is considered one of the most important works of world theatre, setting the stage for a revolution in psychological realism with one woman’s discovery of her own strength and independence in a world determined to crush her.

“A Doll’s House” is directed by Marya Spring Cordes, artistic director of Wright State Theatre and associate chair of the School of Fine and Performing Arts.

Wright State Theatre will follow Ibsen’s original play with the area premiere of “A Doll’s House, Part 2.” Many years after Nora Helmer’s shocking departure, there’s a knock on that same door and Nora has returned. The play tells the story of why she returned and what it means for those she left behind.

“A Doll’s House, Part 2” is directed by guest artist Emily N. Wells, artistic director of the Human Race Theatre Company.

“I was thrilled at the prospect of our students and audiences witnessing the whole Nora and Helmer family story, as it stands right now in literary history, in an exploration of episodic theatre,” Cordes said. “We used to watch network television in this way. One part of the story on a day/time one week with the following episode one week later.”

She said she hopes that audience members who see “A Doll’s House” live in suspense for a week before joining Wright State Theatre a week later to discover what occurs 15 years after the end of the first play.

“New decisions and new perspectives unfold in all of the surprising ways that only the passage of time can allow,” Cordes said.

Wells said she has been impressed with the energy, focus and talent of Wright State student actors in “A Doll’s House, Part 2.”

“They are passionate, thoughtful, and committed,” Wells said. “Our work together has included some terrific discussion around generational feminism. I’m always invigorated working with young artists at the beginning of their careers.”

“A Doll’s House” and “A Doll’s House, Part 2” feature scenic design by Anna Hunter, a design-technology major; costume design by instructor Zoe Still; lighting design by Zach Wuest, a design-technology major; and sound design by James Dunlap, resident sound designer.

On the stage, “A Doll’s House” features Julia Daigh as Nora Helmer, Ben Smallwood as Torvald Helmer, Casey Merren as Kristine Lindek, John Cuozzo as Nils Krogstad, Fiona Finneran as Dr. Rank Kayleigh Gleeson as Anne-Marie (The Nanny), Noel Nieczyporowicz as Helene (The Maid), Noah Funderburk as The Messenger, and Charlie MacPherson and Noah Mullen as Bobby and Ivan (The Helmer’s Children).

“A Doll’s House, Part 2” features Alexis Wentworth as Nora Helmer, Julian Goldenstein as Torvald Helmer, Emma Kopec as Emmy and Taylor Greny as Anne Marie.

2023–24 theatre season continues

Wright State Theatre will conclude its 2023–24 season with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” March 15–31 in the Festival Playhouse.