Shakespeare’s classic Julius Caesar opens the 2025-2026 performance season in the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. Directed by Kay Martinovich, associate professor and head of BFA acting in the school, Julius Caesar begins its run Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the Stevens Building on NIU’s main campus.
Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m., October 10 and 11, October 16 and 17, with 2 p.m. matinees October 12 and 18. Tickets are available online at go.niu.edu/arts-tickets and NIU Students are admitted free of charge simply by reserving a ticket through the ticketing site.
“In my work directing Shakespeare, I am interested in offering women the opportunity to play some of the Bard’s most iconic roles,” Martinovich said. “In this production, Brutus and Cassius are played by women, as are many of the conspirators. There is power in representation … and in reimagining who gets to wield “power” onstage.
“My adaptation derives from a version provided to me by my friend Matt O’Brien, who revised it from Orson Welles’ groundbreaking 1937 production. What I hope for in our production is an urgent Julius Caesar that not only bridges the past with the present but also resonates deeply in our current moment.”
Brutus is played by Kayla Crispino and Cassius by Sophia Dimond. Antonio Horn has the role of Caesar and Skylar Thompson plays Mark Anthony.
The production runs an estimated one hour and 45 minutes, with one intermission.
An audience talkback with the cast and crew will be conducted by Dr. Gibson Cima, associate professor and head of theatre studies after the performance, Saturday, October 11.
For a look at the full program including cast and production team bios, visit niuarts.com/caesar.
The 2025-2026 season also features:
for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf
by Ntozake Shange
Directed by Roxanna Conner and Sarita Smith Childs
O’Connell Theatre
Oct. 24-26, Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1
Tickets
Talkback hosted by Dr. Ajewole Duckett of NIU’s Center for Black Studies following the Oct. 25 performance.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist
by Dario Fo
Directed by Alexander Gelman
Translated by Ed Emery
Black Box Theatre
Nov. 7-9, 13-15
Tickets
Talkback hosted by Dr. Gibson Cima following the 7:30 p.m. performance, Nov. 8.
Fall Dance Concert
O’Connell Theatre
Nov. 20-23
Tickets
Talkback hosted by Professor Richard Grund following the 7:30 p.m. performance, Nov. 22.
Antigone Furiosa
by Griselda Gambaro
Directed by Frankie DiCiaccio
Sally Stevens Players Theatre
Feb. 20-22, 26-28
Tickets
Talkback hosted by Dr. Gibson Cima following the Feb. 21 performance.
The Comedy of Errors
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Bethany Mangum
Black Box Theatre
March 27-29, April 1-3
Tickets
Talkback hosted by Dr. Kay Martinovich following the March 28 performance.
Spring Dance Concert
O’Connell Theatre
April 23-26
Tickets
Talkback hosted by Professor Marc Macaranas following the April 25 performance.
