The Spring 2026 drama will take place in the Black Box Theatre.
Betrayal, corruption, and greed have sparked moral, social, and political consciousness throughout history, and all will be on display when Wayne State College’s Theatre Program presents “Mother Courage and Her Children” Thursday through Sunday, March 26-29, in the Black Box Theatre, located on the lower level of the Peterson Fine Arts Building. The play explores this reality through the troubling depiction of war-ravaged Europe in the 17th century.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 per person, with free admission for Wayne State students, faculty, and staff with their college ID card. Seating is limited. Tickets are available at the door, with no reserved seats. Running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes, with one intermission.
This thought-provoking play, written by Bertolt Brecht in 1939, follows Mother Courage peddling goods to anyone willing to buy. As the Thirty Years’ War drags on, Mother Courage disowns one son, conspires against friends, switches country allegiance, and denies help to the wounded. Her three children tragically perish. Yet nothing reforms her pursuit for profit.
“Mother Courage and Her Children” is often considered the greatest play of the 20th century. Brecht’s metaphoric symbolism examines the cruelty of valuing capitalism above human need during times of war or times of peace. “Mother Courage and Her Children (Bentley, trans.)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
Rusty Ruth, associate professor of theatre at Wayne State, serves as director of “Mother Courage and Her Children,” with Gracie Hinz of Carleton, Neb., serving as assistant director.
Cast members include:
- Ashton, Iowa – Ethan Frangenberg
- Le Mars, Iowa – Kyle Hubbell
- Missouri Valley, Iowa – Mariah Pleskac
- Sioux Falls, S.D. – Ciara Leffring
- Alma, Neb. – Jonah Felix
- Columbus, Neb. – Caroline Klitz
- David City, Neb. – Tate Hain
- Fort Calhoun, Neb. – Cayden Otte
- Grand Island, Neb. – Madison Dvorak
- Norfolk, Neb. – Annaka Gaster
- Omaha, Neb. – Ethan Miller, Kore Quimby
- St. Paul, Neb. – Lily Sazama
- Stuart, Neb. – Mary Belle Hamilton
- Verdigre, Neb. – Dayna Sharp
- Wayne, Neb. – Hunter Peardon
Brian Begley, associate professor of theatre at Wayne State, is the technical director, scenic designer, lighting designer, and stage combat director. Mollie Young, adjunct instructor of theatre at Wayne State, is the stage intimacy coordinator.
Wayne State alumna Anna Bjorklund of Wayne, Neb., is the costume shop manager. Costume and makeup design is guided by Adrian Huff of Yankton, S.D., and Prim S. of Omaha, Neb. Maddie Fairman of Papillion, Neb., serves as sound designer, and Victoria Harrington of Omaha, Neb., is the stage manager. The props team includes Dan Gannon of Malmo, Neb., and Elise White of Sioux City, Iowa.
For more information about the play and Wayne State’s Theatre Program, contact Rusty Ruth at [email protected].