Plays-in-Development
Staged readings of new plays.
Audience talkback with the playwright to follow the reading.
September 11, 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Submissions to be accepted March 6-20, 2026.
Titles will be announced in early May!
SPECIAL EVENT - The Sauk is dedicated to the development of new theatrical works. Each year, we seek new plays from across the country that are still in the process of being completed. Local actors and directors work with the playwright for a three-week workshop process. Then, public readings are held and the audience gets to respond to the work. This nationally-recognized program has developed 35 plays in the past 11 years.
Directors TBA.
"Plays-in-Development" is made possible by the support of State Farm Agent Jason Adcock, Drews Place Assisted Living Communities, Hillsdale CASA, Griffiths Mechanical, Don Toffollo of Edward Jones and County National Bank.
Sauk Shorts 2026
A Collection of Short Plays by Laurie Allen, Eddie Burkhead, Rubel Carbajal, Sarah Gray, David MacGregor, James McLindon, Michele A. Miller, Scott Mullen, G.M. (Bud) Thompson and "The Almost In-Laws," Book and Lyrics by Greg Edwards, Music by Andy Roninson
March 19, 20 at 8 p.m.
March 21, 22 at 3 p.m.
SAUKSECONDS SEASON - Our annual celebration of the short play includes comedy, drama and the 10-minute musical, "The Almost In-Laws." This year's selection includes "Free Samples" by Jacob Weldon (of Jackson), "Into the Mystic" by Sarah Gray (of Jonesville) and a world premiere short play by G.M. (Bud) Thompson of Grand Rapids.
Directors TBA.
This production is sponsored by The Grate Haus/Drumhiller Farms and Sandi Miller.
Legends of the
Great North Woods
By Charles Burr
October 29, 30 at 8 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENT - For the first time, The Sauk partners with Young Michigan Dances to present this unique show the combines theatre, music and dance. This hour-long, family-friendly play uses ballet to help tell the story of legends from Michigan's own north woods. In addition to the public performances, daytime matinees will be held for local school children.
Directed by Charles Burr
This production is sponsored by Barrett Insurance.
Riverfest Shakespeare
A weekend of performances
by the Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company
Buzzed Bard
Friday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at The Sauk
The audience plays a drinking game as the Shakespeare unfolds.
Shakespeare in the Park:
Bottom's Dream
Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m. at Wright Street Park, Jonesville
A family-friendly, hour-long adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Playhouse Creatures
Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at The Sauk
A play about five of the most famous women first allowed to be actresses.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for these productions.
Arsenic and Old Lace
By Joseph Kesselring
February 5, 6, 12, 13 at 8 p.m.
February 7, 8, 14, 15 at 3 p.m.
MAINSTAGE SEASON - Drama critic Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunts’ window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! Between his aunts’ penchant for poisoning wine, a brother who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and another brother using plastic surgery to hide from the police—not to mention Mortimer’s own hesitancy about marriage—it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding. Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic black comedy about the only thing more deadly than poison: family.
Directed by Ron Boyle.
This production is sponsored by All Seasons of Hillsdale and Comprehensive Speech & Therapy Center.
Little Women
By Louisa May Alcott, Adapted by Erin Riley
December 3, 4, 10, 11 at 8 p.m.
December 5, 6, 12, 13 at 3 p.m.
MAINSTAGE SEASON - This adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age favorite include a recurring Christmas holiday theme. Jo March acts as an omniscient narrator, moving us seamlessly through time and space with the flourish of their pen. Join the March sisters, Marmee, Laurie, and all of your Concord favorites in this reimagined and inclusive nod to Alcott's love letter to individuality, perseverance, and love in all its forms.
Directed by Meghan Barnes
This production is sponsored by The Udder Side.
Footloose
Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie
Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford
Music by Tom Snow, Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman
July 30, 31, August 6, 7 at 8 p.m.
August 1, 2, 8, 9 at 3 p.m.
MAINSTAGE SEASON - When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.
Directed by Trinity Bird. Musical Direction by Kristi Gautsche.
This production is sponsored by Walmart, Olivia's Chop House and Saucy Dog Barbecue. The orchestra sponsors is Moore Insurance Services.
Pickleball
By Jeff Daniels
August 27, 28 at 8 p.m.
August 29, 30 at 3 p.m.
SAUKSECONDS SEASON - Pickleball shows us all the possibilities of middle-aged athleticism and the human spirit. In America’s fastest growing game, there are no apologies, there are no excuses, and there is no room for weakness. When four below-average players have an opportunity to compete in a local tournament, they must learn to overcome their limitations and find greatness in a game that has nothing to do with pickles.
Directed by Tim Ambrose.
This production is sponsored by Walmart, ABS Rentals and Hillsdale Hospital.
Alice in Wonderland
By Lewis Carroll, Adapted By Kathryn Schultz Miller
July 10, 17 at 10 a.m.
July 11, 12, 18, 19 at 3 p.m.
July 11, 18 at 7 p.m.
All performances at Wright Street Park in Joensville.
Rain Location: Sauk Theatre
SUMMER FAMILY FUN SHOW - One Girl. One Man. All of Wonderland. This family-friendly, fast-paced, hour-long adaptation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND is told in unique fashion by just two actors - a girl who plays Alice and a man who plays everyone else. Staged at Wright Street Park in Jonesville, audience members are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the show!
Directed by Trinity Bird.
This production is sponsored by Southern Michigan Bank & Trust.
A Trip to the Moon
By Tracy Wells
January 8, 9 at 8 p.m.
January 10, 11 at 3 p.m.
TEEN THEATRE PROJECT - Set in the transformative summer of 1969, A Trip to the Moon tells the story of people reaching for their dreams … dreams of love, dreams of equality, dreams of the stars. Told around the time of the moon landing, this vignette-style play is comprised of 16 scenes, each named after an iconic song from 1969. From a girl trying to convince her parent to let her go to Woodstock in “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” to a woman trying to get a job at NASA in “Bad Moon Rising,” to a soldier giving the new guy a reality check in “Fortunate Son,” to a group of protestors showing a girl how to fight for what’s right in “Come Together,” these scenes and more use humor and heart to teach us about who we once were and reflect on who we could be and remind us that to achieve the impossible, we must reach for the stars.
Directed by Trinity Bird. Designed and Produced by the Teen Theatre Project.
This production is sponsored by Grandma's Quilt Shop and DJ Johnson & Associates.
Disney's Frozen
Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Book by Jennifer Lee, based on her own film screenplay
October 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8 p.m.
October 10, 11, 17, 18 at 3 p.m.
MAINSTAGE SEASON - In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.
Directed by Trinity Bird. Musical Direction by Kristi Gautsche and Tom Ryskamp.
This production is sponsored by Meijer and the Jonesville Rotary Club. The orchestra sponsor is Moore Insurance Services.
John & Jen
Lyrics by Tom Greenwald, Music by Andrew Lippa
Book by Tom Greenwald and Andrew Lippa
April 23, 24 at 8 p.m.
April 25, 26 at 3 p.m.
SAUKSECONDS SEASON - A truly original musical, this is the story of Jen and her relationships with the two Johns of her life: her younger brother, who was killed in Vietnam, and his namesake, the son who is trying to find his way in a confusing world. Jen and her younger brother, John, are growing up in the ever-changing world of mid-century America. As the country becomes divided over the war in Vietnam, so does the family, and battle lines are drawn between the once-close siblings. When John is killed in Vietnam, Jen is left to reconcile her memory of their fractured relationship along with her son and brother's namesake. John & Jen is a musical about connections, commitments and the healing of the human heart.
Directed by Bruce Crews. Musical Direction by Dale Hendershot.
This production is sponsored by Hillsdale CASA and State Farm Agent Jason Adcock. Orchestra sponsored by Moore Insurance Services.
The Odd Couple
(Original and Female Versions)
By Neil Simon
Original Version: June 4, 12 at 8 p.m., June 6, 14 at 3 p.m.
Female Version: June 5, 11at 8 p.m., June 7, 13 at 3 p.m.
MAINSTAGE SEASON - This classic comedy opens on a friendly card game in the untidy apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. Late to arrive is Felix Ungar, who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed, and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds, Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together. In the female version, Oscar and Felix become Olive and Florence. Instead of the poker party, Ms. Madison has invited the girls over for an evening of Trivial Pursuit. The guys are replaced by the gals, but the hilarity remains the same.
Original Version Directed by Tim Ambrose.
Female Version Directed by Jennifer Ambrose.
This production is sponsored by County National Bank.
The 24-Hour
Theatre Project
Six new plays written, rehearsed and performed in 24 hours.
Auditions - November 6 at 8 p.m.
Performance - November 7 at 8 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENT - Each year, The Sauk created six new 10-minutes plays in just 24 hours. Actors audition on Friday evening. Playwrights then choose the actors who inspire them. The playwrights then have until 7 a.m. on Saturday morning to write a brand new play. Rehearsals begin Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and the show is performed at 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Writers and Directors to be announced.
This production is sponsored by State Farm Agent Jason Adcock and Allison and David Tappen.