The Second Stage Theatre Presents:
The Real Inspector Hound
by: Tom Stopard | Directed by Ken McCoy
September 25-28, 2025
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 pm | Sunday at 3:00 pm
The Real Inspector Hound by Tom Stoppard is a multi-layered spoof of a typical English country house murder mystery, where two theatre critics in the audience become incorporated into the whodunit on stage. Behind the scenes sexual intrigues, the performance aspirations of literary critics, and the thin line between the actor and the role are all in play with this hilarious and illuminating meta-theatrical comedy.
TICKETS: Tickets are $12, $10 for seniors, and free to all students with a student ID and to Stetson students and employees with a Stetson ID. Reservations are available but not required. To reserve tickets, please contact the Box Office by emailing [email protected] or by calling 386-822-8700. Tickets will be held at Will-Call, and the Box Office opens one half hour prior to the start of the show. Alternatively, come and check in at the Box Office to get a ticket in the half hour prior to the start of the show.
Enjoy the show!
Stetson University hosts the longest-running theatre program in Florida of any kind – educational, community, and professional – with over 750 productions in its time. Stetson’s chapter of the National Theater Honorary, Theta Alpha Phi, was one of the original five, founded in March of 1930 by Dr. Irving Stover.
Stetson’s Theatre Arts program typically hosts over 20 theatre majors and over 80 student participants in theater productions every academic year. Students are regularly offered the opportunity to assume various leadership roles in theatre productions and all Stetson students are eligible for casting and backstage work from the first semester of their first year.
Many Stetson Theatre Arts students go on to pursue successful careers in fields such as law, education, and business. Many also pursue successful careers in the entertainment industry onstage and off-stage, such as:
Delicia Bent '24, Professional Stage Hand, The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol
Joshua Dennis '23, Professional Actor, Central Florida Area
Ashley Hew '23, Disney College Program, Costume Shop Attendant
Liza Tannanbaum '22, Professional Actress, Boston Metro Area
Preston Foss, '20, Lighting Designer, Central Flordia Area
Katie Pulling '19, Art Department Manager, Global Scenic Services
Luis Garcia '17, Lighting/Video Designer, honoree for Live Design’s 30 Under 30 list for rising young artists
Megan Vaughn '16, Properties Artisan at the North Shore Music Theatre
Drew Neitzey '15, Assistant Production Manager, Crossroads Live
Cassie Kris '14, Company Manager, Theatre Lab at FAU, Boca Raton
Brendan Rogers '07, director of the independent films, Flashback and Bubba the Redneck Werewolf
Heidi Howard '99, Artistic director for 7 Stage Theater in Atlanta, GA
Paris Benjamin '99, professional TV/film actress with roles in Extant, Scandal, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, and Star Trek: Into Darkness
Renee Lawless '99, professional actress playing Midwife and Madame Morrible in the national tour of Wicked (2008-2013), Katheryn Cryer in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots (2012-2021) on the Oprah Winfrey Network
Jeff Bowen '93, professional actor and Obie award-winning composer of the Broadway musical, [Title of Show]
Michael Yeargan '68, winner of two Tony awards for best scene design
Ramon Delgado '61, Louis Phillips '60, and Mark Kenneally '97, Playwrights
Ted Cassidy '55, professional actor known best for originating the role of Lurch in The Addams Family television series
Ret Turner '50, winner of 5 Emmy Awards and nominated 23 times for his costume designs from 1971-1997
"At Stetson I was able to explore all realms of theatre and find what I truly wanted to pursue in life. Costuming and set design became my focus and during my time at the school I was able to expand on my capacities in those areas. Through Stetson I was able to attend events that led to my first professional job in the industry as well as a place in the Disney College Program."
- Ashley Hew, '23
Disney College Program, Costume Shop
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"Reflecting on my time at Stetson fills me with both a sense of accomplishment and nostalgia. The theater department served as my creative haven, where I found genuine acceptance and a community that loved each other but could, and often would, give out tough love when it was needed. During my four years at Stetson I got to play a wide variety of roles- more so than I’d ever had in the eight years I’d been doing theater prior. Working as an actress professionally isn’t easy, but I truly believe that this department gave me the tools and the confidence in myself to do so."
- Liza Tannanbaum, '22
Actress, Boston Metro Area
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"The time I spent with the Theatre Arts program at Stetson University has set me up to be more well-rounded in the theatre industry. The program’s focus on exploring all aspects of theatrical practices, from it's history, to theory, and practical application, has led to a better and deeper appreciation of my fellow designers and artists, and the collaborative environments we work in. Furthermore, the passion of the faculty and of my peers within the program continues to inspire me and influence my creativity, years after graduating.
- Preston Foss, '20
Lighting Designer, Central Florida Area
National Theatre Honors Society - Florida Alpha Chapter
Theta Alphi Phi (TAP) is an American recognition honors society that accepts members who achieve excellence in theart of theatre. TAP is the oldest active theatre honor society in the United States.
Stetson's chapter of TAP sponsors workshops, encourages students to attend theatre functions and conferences, and helps promote Second Stage Theatre's season.
Stetson Administration
Christopher Roellke, PhD, President of Stetson University
Elizabeth Skomp, PhD, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost
Kyle Longest, PhD, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Washington Garcia, DMA, Dean of the School of Music
Yiorgos Bakamitsos, PhD, Dean of the School of Business Administration
Katy Webb, MILS, MA, Dean of the duPont-Ball Library
Benjamin Barros, JD, Dean of the College of Law
Theatre Arts Program Faculty and Staff
Nathan Wolek, PhD, Professor of Digital Arts and Chair of the Creative Arts Department
Krista Franco, MFA, Associate Professor of Theatre Arts and Coordinator of the Theatre Arts Program
Ken McCoy, PhD, Professor of Theatre Arts
Julie Schmitt, PhD, Professor of Theatre Arts
Patrick Pieri, BA, Technical Director
Cheryl Orr, BA, Costume Designer
Laura Glander, BA, Adminstrative Support
The Theatre Arts Program
Creative Arts / Theatre Arts web page
Contact us at [email protected]
Stover Theatre Arts Supporting Cast is a membership group of patrons comprising alumni, parents, students, and neighbors who recognize that financial support is the key to the success of Stetson’s Theatre Arts Program. Financial assistance enables the faculty, students and overall program to remain competitive with theatre departments of other universities. This fund is named to honor the legacy of Irving B. Stover, a Stetson theatre arts faculty member for more than 50 years. By all accounts, Stover was a much-beloved teacher, devoted to the achievement of the theatre program and production season.
For more information about making a contribution to this fund, please contact Nathan Wolek, Chair of the Department of Creative Arts, at [email protected]
2025-2026 Season:
The Real Inspector Hound - September 25-28, 2025
In Pieces: A New Musical - October 30-November 2, 2025
Girl in the Goldfish Bowl - February 19-22, 2026
Theatre for Young Audiences - April 16-19, 2025
Instagram: @stetsontheatre | Facebook: Stetson Theatre Arts