—Malek Najjar, Professor and Head of the Department of Theatre Arts
By Jenny Brooks, College of Arts and Sciences
When disaster strikes in a play, audiences get to watch from the safety of their seats as characters wrestle with what comes next. Real life rarely offers that kind of distance, which is part of what makes live theatre such a cathartic and rewarding experience. During its 2026-27 season, the University of Oregon’s University Theatre will give audiences four opportunities to experience that journey, beginning in November with the backstage farce “Noises Off.”
“Each of this year’s productions asks the question: what to do when things go catastrophically wrong,” said Malek Najjar, professor and head of the Theatre Arts department. “In all cases, things fall apart and the characters must fight to make life normal once again.”
This season’s production lineup for University Theatre also includes: “An Enemy of the People,” adapted by Najjar, a play about the ramifications of environmental pollution and capitalist greed; “Cabaret,” the Tony Award-winning musical about Weimar Germany and the rise of fascism; and “How to Defend Yourself,” a play about college students dealing with sexual assault, consent, power and trauma.
All productions involve the work of dozens of students with faculty support. Students are the actors, designers, stage managers and technicians. Students, primarily theatre arts majors, spend hours in labs sewing costumes, painting scenery, hanging lights, creating props and working on all aspects of a performance.
“Each of these productions will challenge our students and faculty to create their best work,” said Najjar, who is directing “An Enemy of the People.” “I really wish that audiences could spend weeks with our students as they go from the initial concept meeting to the closing night. If they did, they would see a level of dedication, enthusiasm and passion for theatre that would astonish them.”
Elizabeth Helman, a UO alum and instructor at Oregon State University, is directing “Noises Off.” Tara Wibrew, executive director of the Lane Arts Council, will guest direct “How to Defend Yourself.” She previously guest directed “Antigone” and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” for University Theatre. Associate Teaching Professor Tricia Rodley and CAS graduate employee Doug Killingtree will direct “Cabaret.”
“Cabaret is a musical our students have wanted us to produce for a very long time,” said Najjar. “It is a good year to finally include it because it fits nicely with this year’s lineup.”
“Noises Off” opens Nov. 6. All productions are open to the public and tickets go on sale in October. UO students can attend all productions for free. For tickets and more information about the season’s shows, visit University Theatre .