The Second Stage Theatre Presents:

The Real Inspector Hound

by: Tom Stoppard  |  Directed by Ken McCoy

September 25-28
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 p.m. | Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

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.

Content Advisory: This production contains scenes involving gun use, strobe lighting, sexual content, and depictions of death.  These elements are presented within a darkly comedic and theatrical context but may be unsettling for some viewers.  Viewer discretion is advised.

In Pieces: A New Musical

by: Joey Contreras  |  Directed by Olivia Yokers
Produced in collaboration with the Stetson University School of Music

October 30 - November 2
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 p.m. | Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

In Pieces is a contemporary song cycle by Joey Contreras that weaves together the lives of six individuals as they navigate love, self-discovery, and the pivotal moments that define them. With a vibrant, pop-driven score, the musical captures the highs and lows of relationships—past, present, and future—revealing how every experience shapes who we become. Authentic, heartfelt, and deeply relatable, In Pieces is a moving exploration of identity, growth, and acceptance, resonating with anyone who has ever faced a turning point in their life.

Content Advisory: This production contains explicit language, as well as mature themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Audience discretion is advised.

Girl in the Goldfish Bowl

By: Morris Panych  |  Directed by Rebekah Lane

February 19-22
Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 p.m. | Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, by Morris Panych, tells the story of a young girl named Iris who believes that the world has been held together by her pet goldfish and that his death has led both to the disintegration of her parents' marriage and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Almost immediately after her pet's death, Iris finds a man washed
up on the beach and thinks he is the reincarnation of the goldfish. She brings the stranger back to her home, pinning all her messianic hopes on his well-being.

Theatre for Young Audiences: A Devised Production 

Title:  TBA
Directed and mentored by Julie Schmitt

April 16-19
Thursday at 8:00 p.m. | Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

In collaboration with our community partners, Stetson Theatre Arts students will devise an original production highlighting some of the important issues impacting our cultural environment. The production will be toured throughout the Spring season to local area schools and will culminate in a special exhibition performance at
Stetson’s Second Stage Theatre.

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

"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

The Theatre Arts major

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