NW Missouri Times

First-year theatre students at Northwest Missouri State University will examine the pitfalls of authority during the 34th annual First-Year Showcase from Oct. 3-6. This year’s production features first-year students presenting Kara Poe Atnip and Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend’s “The Shady Lady: A Robust Blend of Privilege, Influence, and White-Collar Crime.”

The satirical comedy follows overworked and underpaid employees of an environmental nonprofit as they scramble to hide the embezzlement of their boss. As the plot unfolds, the employees must conceal their actions from an investigative journalist to avoid federal prison.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3-5 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, in the Studio Theater at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the box office one hour before showtime or by visiting .

Grace Garrigan, a senior speech and theatre education major from Council Bluffs, Iowa, selected and is directing the play.

“I hope that participants and audience members walk away with their spirits lifted after experiencing this show,” Garrigan said. “I hope that everyone is able to think about how they see themselves in the actions of the show.”

The first-year showcase introduces Theatre Northwest’s new students and familiarizes them with people and practices within the theatre program.

“This is just the beginning of an absolutely wonderful adventure that these first-years are about to embark on, and it can be really special to watch someone grow up onstage,” Garrigan said.

Theatre Northwest’s 2024-2025 fall season also includes “A Fall Evening of One-Acts” from Sept. 26-28; “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” from Nov. 14-17; and the annual Alpha Psi Omega children’s show on Dec. 15. The spring schedule consists of “A Spring Evening of One-Acts” from Feb. 21-22; “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” from Feb. 21-22; “God of Carnage” from March 28-29; concluding with “Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical” from April 10-13.

For more information about Theatre Northwest, call 660.562.1321 or email .