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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

A sign for “Machinal” is adorned with flowers and small stones. This play tells the true story of a woman sentenced to execution via the electric chair. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

‘Machinal,’ a physical performance of mental instability

By Brynn Hussemann, Lifestyle Writer | November 3, 2024

Trembling, shaking, gasping for air on a subway train on the way to work, Helen Jones suffers a panic attack. This opening scene of “Machinal” shocks the audience immediately.  The School of Theatre and Dance flourishingly illustrated mental health...

A poster for “Machinal” hangs in the Stevens Building. This NIU School of Theatre and Dance play begins shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

‘Machinal’ comes to the Black Box Theatre

By Brynn Hussemann, Lifestyle Writer | October 30, 2024

Friday debuts the next School of Theatre and Dance production, the play “Machinal.” “Machinal,” written by Sophie Treadwell and directed by Alexander Gelman, tells the true story of Ruth Snyder, a woman who was declared guilty of killing...

Three witches stand around Macbeth as he kneels. The School of Theatre and Dance performed "Macbeth" in the O'Connell Theatre. (Courtesy of Antonio Houston)

‘Macbeth,’ a wicked tale performed by SOTD

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | October 20, 2024

Swathed in shades of shimmering blue, three witches emerge on stage as green mist swirls, white smoke rises and eerie notes set the tone for this harrowing story, the tragic life of Macbeth. A tale full of blood, ambition and deadly consequences.  These...

A sign in the Stevens Building advertises the "Macbeth" play. This is NIU School of Theatre and Dance’s second production of the fall 2024 season. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Shakespeare classic ‘Macbeth’ coming to NIU

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | October 16, 2024

Murder, death, witches, treachery and a descent into madness create the perfect recipe for a hauntingly good show, just in time for Halloween.  These themes are at the heart of the School of Theatre and Dance’s upcoming performance of Shakespeare’s...

A prop throne sits in the middle of a stage. NIU's School of Theatre and Dance's current play, "Mary Stuart," featured no physical set besides the throne, instead relying on lighting to create the set. (Tyler Gordon | Northern Star)

‘Mary Stuart’ braves the stage

By Tyler Gordon, Lifestyle Writer | October 6, 2024

Political obligations, human nature and the emotional pain of not knowing what choices to make highlight “Mary Stuart,” a tale that depicts the best and worst of people in a two and a half hour runtime. Friday night, NIU saw the opening of its...

Jonathan Shelby, assistant lifestyle editor, stands in the grass. This weekend, check out the "Mary Stuart" play and the Kishwaukee Concert Band performance. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Weekend Rundown: Concerts, dramas and jazz this weekend

By Jonathan Shelby, Assistant Lifestyle Editor | October 4, 2024

This Weekend Rundown Writeup includes events such as the “Mary Stuart” play from the NIU School of Theatre and Dance, a performance by the Kishwaukee Concert Band, a Saxophone Day event, OL&RO Trunk Show and an evening of tacos and jazz with Cole...

A poster for “Mary Stuart” hangs in the Stevens Building. The NIU School of Theatre and Dance production will begin shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

‘Mary Stuart’ takes stage Friday

By Tyler Gordon, Lifestyle Writer | October 2, 2024

“Mary Stuart” is an intense and dramatic play presenting the antagonism between Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I of England. Although it features some historic occurrences and relations, the story is a dramatized account of the struggle of...

Members of NIU's School of Theatre and Dance pose across a stage. The Spring Dance Concert is the last show of the SOTD's 2023-2024 production season. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Spring Dance Concert leaps into action

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor | April 25, 2024

As audience members flipped through their playbills, soft orchestral music played while a crimson curtain shielded the dancers awaiting behind it. Thursday was the first night of the School of Theatre and Dance’s Spring Dance Concert, the last production...

A poster for the Spring Dance Concert hangs in the Stevens Building. This will be the School of Theatre and Dance’s last show of the 2023-2024 production season. (Brynn Krug | Northern Star)

Spring Dance Concert begins Thursday

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | April 23, 2024

The annual Spring Dance Concert is taking place this weekend, starting at 7:30 p.m. on April 25 in the O'Connell Theatre in the Stevens Building.  This year’s program, “The Continuum of Change,” will feature four distinct works, “Cog/nition,”...

A black and red poster is displayed against a gray wall. The global premiere of "Booked and Blessed...or Bust" will be April 5. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

Play makes first-time performance at NIU

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | April 2, 2024

A new play is coming to the NIU School of Theater and Dance, “Booked and Blessed...OR BUST.”  The play was originally titled “Something, Somewhere, Somehow” but was changed earlier this year and written by Alexander Perez. Perez is a Cuban-American...

The door of the Sally Stevens Players Theatre sits closed after a weekend full of performances. NIU’s most recent play “Anxious People!” opened this week. (Nick Glover | Northern Star)

‘Anxious People!’ gives exposure therapy for anxiety

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | February 18, 2024

Anxiety, at its core, is a deeply human condition. As social creatures, people are prone to intense feelings when outside pressures hinder and interrupt their own experiences.   Audiences were treated to stories and experiences of people dealing...

Students of NIU's School of Theatre and Dance pose during the school's fall 2023 dance concert. This semester's dance concert is one of five shows the School of Theatre and Dance will put on this semester. (Courtesy of Andy Dolan)

Theater, dance productions to occur spring 2024

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | January 15, 2024

Be swept away by devilish deals, or if you're up to it, listen to others' experiences dealing with anxiety. From fresh new plays to student showcases, the School of Theatre and Dance has something for everyone this upcoming season.  “Anxious People!”  Written...