Season 14: A Season of Discovery
SEASON 14 SHOWS
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory: Based on novel by Roald Dahl, Score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, Book by David Greig
The world-famous Willy Wonka is opening the gates to his mysterious factory…but only to a lucky few. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka’s world of pure imagination including chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels and the great glass elevator, all to be revealed by Wonka’s army of curious Oompa-Loompas.
Co-produced with American Crystal Sugar
Made possible by grants from the Iseminger Fund & The City of GF Arts Re-Grant
Oct. 2-4, 8-10 at 7 pm; Oct. 5 & 11 at 2 p.m.
Anthropology: Lauren Gunderson
“I have no answers. I have nothing but rage and sorrow. And so yes, I built you because this is what I do. And honestly, it’s not that hard, you’re basically a chatbot.”
Merril is one of Silicon Valley’s leading software engineers, but her life disintegrates when her younger sister Angie vanishes on her way home from college. A year later, when the police have long abandoned their search, Merril assembles all the digital material Angie has left behind and sets about building herself a digital simulation of her sister. The resultant ‘virtual Angie’ offers her some solace – until, that is, it starts to reveal new details about the real Angie’s disappearance…A moving exploration of the intersection of family, technology, and legacy.
Nov. 12-15, 20-22 at 7:30 pm | Nov. 23 at 2 pm
The Nut Lab: K.C. King
Strangers come together to participate in a human nutrition study for eight weeks. In return for being willing subjects, they receive room, board, and pay. Each participant has his/her own reasons for serving as a subject. One is saving money for college tuition, another is taking the money to drop off the grid, a third seems to be running from gangsters, and a fourth is using her time at the as a retreat to re-discover herself after three decades of marriage. The study is run by a scientist, her graduate assistant, under the strict eyes of a nurse who enjoys the daily blood draws more than she should. An awkward orderly with a crush on one of the subjects rounds out the cast. This zany new comedy is sure to warm you up in February! Be part of its world premiere!
Feb. 12-14, 19-21 at 7:30 pm | Feb. 15 at 2 pm
The Rainbow Fish – Musical: Adapted from the book by Marcus Pfister, Book, music and lyrics by Austin Zumbro
A variety of charming sea-creatures admire the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in all the ocean. When Rainbow Fish refuses to share their vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores them anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus. Octopus helps the young fish learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful. An undersea musical adventure! Performed by professional, adult actors.
April 23-24 at 11 am| May 1 at 7 pm | May 2-3 at 2 p.m.
LAGNIAPPE
January 23 at 7 pm & Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. actors will perform a “script-in-hand” reading of Michael Frayn’s drama Copenhagen about physicists Heisenberg and Bohr mysterious meeting in 1941 in Copenhagen. In Frayn’s speculative drama, they discuss the idea of nuclear power and its control, the rationale behind building or not building an atomic bomb, the uncertainty of the past and the inevitability of the future. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, and Tony Award winner for Best Play (2000).
Join us March 18-21 at 7:30 & Mar. 22 at 2 p.m. for a staged reading of Lauren Gunderson’s play The ½ Life of Marie Curie: In 1911, Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of the elements radium and polonium. By 1912, she was the object of ruthless gossip over an alleged affair, all but erasing her achievements from public memory. Demoralized by the press coverage, Marie agrees to join her friend and colleague Hertha Ayrton, an electromechanical engineer and suffragette, and recover from the scandal at Hertha's seaside retreat on the British coast.
In the Living Room – Each month a play is performed, we invite you to join us in the “living room” at the Empire Arts Center, when we enjoy a discussion with local scientists who will share information about ag-science, A.I., physics, nutritional science, chemistry, and marine biology. No cost to attend due to an Arts Re-grant from the City of GF.
*** Lagniappe - a word of Louisiana French Creole origin, meaning "a little something extra"
Who We Are
WHAT IS THE EMPIRE THEATRE COMPANY?
The Empire Theatre Company (ETC) is a professional theatre company in North Dakota, producing a full season of productions. Founded in 2012, our goal is to develop and grow new audiences for theatre with the creation of excellent plays and musicals, particularly works that have never or rarely been produced in North Dakota.
ETC contracts with local, regional, and nationally-based professional actors to produce a season of four or more full-length productions each season. Our season runs from August through May each year. ETC is the resident theatre company of the historic Empire Arts Center, where all productions take place.
Production History
THIRTEEN SEASONS UNDER OUR BELT
The Empire Theatre Company has been producing contemporary plays and musicals featuring professional actors, directors, and other theatre artists since 2012 with its inaugural production of the musical Xanadu. Now entering our 14th season, we are proud to have paid over 400 professional actors and theatre artists, as well seeing exponential audience growth.
2024-2025 SEASON SUPPORTERS
