University of Evansville Theatre Presents PASSAGE

Evansville, Ind. (02/18/2026) — The University of Evansville (UE) Theatre commences its Spring 2026 season with Christopher Chen's PASSAGE. This production opens at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the May Studio Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Feb. 25, 26, 27, 28, and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 28 and March 1. Inspired by E.M. Forster's A Passage to India, Christopher Chen's PASSAGE is a poetic drama set in a fictional colonized country. When a tense encounter between a native citizen and an expat spirals into accusation and unrest, the play questions the murky ethics of imperialism, cultural misunderstanding, vulnerability, and identity. Through abstract storytelling, the play invites us to examine how fear and "otherness" distort even our most human interactions.

PASSAGE is directed by Assistant Professor Stacey Yen. Visiting Artist-in-Residence Austin Kuhn '20 serves as the scenic designer; Maria Lenn '13, guest artist, serves as the costume designer; Jonathan Roth '26, senior design and technologies major, from Brookfield, Wis. serves as the lighting designer; Visiting Assistant Professor Jon Robertson serves as the sound designer; Saray Rodriguez Hernandez '27, junior theatre management major, from Caracas, Venezuela is the cultural coordinator; Marguerite Winzinger '27, junior directing and dramaturgy major, from Bordentown, N.J. serves as dramaturg; Mel Denison '27, a junior stage management major, from Gainesville, Texas, is the stage manager, and Assistant Technical Director/Scene Shop Manager Cody Kane serves as the technical director.

The cast ensemble features Guldana Karman, a junior performance major, from Katy, Texas; Owen White, a junior performance major, from Valley Center, Kan.; Philana Koto, a sophomore performance major, from Denton, Texas; Mason Norton, a senior performance major, from Bremen, Ind.; Blane Wheeless, a first-year performance major, from Midland, Texas; Rylie Sudduth, a junior performance major, from Versailles, Ky.; Bailey Crawford, a junior performance major, from Frisco, Texas; Luis Alejandro Gonzalez, a sophomore performance major, from Midland, Texas; Matthew Manders, a junior performance major, from Houston, Texas; and Shane Allison, a first-year performance major, from Spring, Texas.

Adult ticket prices are $25 and $20 for senior adults, UE employees. and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free ticket with their student ID by visiting the ticket office. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday, 12:00-5:00 p.m.