by Kelly Stenka
Photos by senior Elenna Koenig
Doane University’s Theatre program stands as a beacon of artistic exploration, collaboration and inclusivity in the Midwest. Professor Robin McKercher, a veteran in the theatrical world, has shaped the department’s unique identity over the past two decades with his vision, mentorship and passion. In a recent interview, McKercher offered an in-depth look at the theatre’s current season, ambitions and philosophy driving its impressive string of national recognition and student success.
The current season launched with a devised theatre piece, “Welcome”, uniquely crafted to do just that – welcome a large cohort of first-year students. Associate Professor of Theatre, Joel Egger, along with the company and collaborative assistant, Ella Zubieni, created a piece together on a theme about welcoming. Students contributed poetry, dance and personal reflections, ensuring the show was entirely original: “It just came from this genesis of Joel’s desire to welcome our first year class. It was really sweet, and the students wrote some really great stuff.”
Doane’s theatre department shapes each year by asking what hasn’t been explored and what will excite and challenge students. This year, two mainstage shows were pitched by a student committee member and enthusiastically adopted by McKercher himself. One, “Scarlet”, directed by McKercher, is a world-premiere musical described as a Baroque pop opera. Set 500 years in a post-apocalyptic future, “Scarlet” weaves themes of survival, power, family and hope, driven by a female protagonist. The music, directed by alum Boston Reid ’23, is, according to McKercher, “the hardest thing [he] will ever do in [his] life,” with complex and emotional scoring: “They sound so good. There are moments where they sing and I start crying. There’s one moment where Katie Craig, playing the leader of the council, was singing and when we got done with her song, we all applauded. She looked so happy. We’re just taking our time with it.”
Doane’s other mainstage show, “I’m Gonna Marry You, Tobey Maguire”, is a contemporary satire that resonates for its hu
mor and underlying exploration of celebrity obsession and societal expectations. In it, student actors shine in roles that challenge and amuse: “Every day I’m usually pounding the table laughing. It’s so good. But at its heart, it’s about the insanity of our own society getting obsessed with stars, It has a lot to do with that sort of darker side of fandom,” McKercher said.
A third production, “Birthday Candles,” will be directed by senior Cody Lee Crist as his capstone, marking Doane Theatre's commitment to providing significant opportunities for student growth in leadership, technical craft and artistry. From set designer, prop designer, costume designer and lights, students are leading the charge for this show’s production, while faculty are available throughout the process to serve as mentors.
Doane’s inclusivity is notable: “Anybody can be in our shows. You can be a chemistry major and be the lead. When I came here 20 years ago, I felt passionate about inspiring people, not having a closed shop like they do at some other universities. I feel empowered that we’re growing an audience. Even if students don’t go into theatre, they develop an appreciation for it, and the job of any artist is to inspire the public to continue supporting.”
This approach has produced results. Doane Theatre boasts at least 165 regional and national awards, including 16 national recognitions from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
As for the future, McKercher is enthusiastic not just about upcoming productions, but about the enduring power of theatre: “Having been here for 20 years at Doane, it’s a beautiful place to create, inspire and nurture students. Our idea is to allow students to discover. That’s why I love working here.”
He hopes that shows like the upcoming “Scarlet” will one day travel beyond Doane: “I would like to take it off Doane, premiere here, and then do it again somewhere else, like in Lincoln or Omaha. I want a broader public to see the show, because it’s phenomenal.”
For McKercher and the Doane University Theatre program, each new season is an invitation to students, audiences and the community to join a creative journey, where discovery, risk and passion take center stage.
To see a list of upcoming shows and Doane’s theatre department information, click here.
