The Dakota Stage is set to enchant audiences with a spectacular array of performances for the 2024-2025 season. From the comedic chaos of 'Dickens’ Christmas Carol' by the Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Theatre Company to the poignant narrative of 'Stop Kiss,' the dynamic retelling of 'The Crucible,' and the classic farce 'Suite Surrender,' these productions promise a theatrical experience filled with laughter, contemplation, and classic drama. With each production offering a unique twist, theater enthusiasts can look forward to a season brimming with exceptional storytelling and unforgettable moments.

Theatrical Splendor and Unforgettable Tales: A Journey Through Dakota Stage's 2024-2025 Season

Dakota Stage is set to captivate audiences in 2025 with a trio of powerful and diverse productions. The season kicks off with 'Stop Kiss'—a heartfelt story about love and resilience, followed by Arthur Miller's classic 'The Crucible', a harrowing tale of deceit and fear. Closing out the season is 'Suite Surrender', a comedy that harkens back to the glamorous and chaotic world of Hollywood's golden era. Each play offers a unique exploration of love, deception, and humor, promising theatergoers an unforgettable experience.

Dramatic Encounters: Dakota Stage's Compelling Theatrical Lineup for 2025

Dakota Stage is set to deliver an eclectic mix of theatrical experiences in 2025, ranging from heartfelt dramas to uproarious comedies. This season promises to captivate audiences with 'Stop Kiss', 'The Crucible', and 'Suite Surrender', each offering a unique narrative that explores themes of love, adversity, deceit, and humor. As the curtains rise at the Dakota Stage in Bismarck, ND, theater-goers will be treated to stories that challenge perceptions and entertain in equal measure.

Dakota Stage: A Season of Love, Conflict, and Laughter

The Dakota Stage in Bismarck, ND is gearing up for a series of captivating performances from May 2025 through May 2026. With an eclectic mix of plays and musicals, this season promises humor, drama, and a touch of nostalgia. Highlights include the classic comedic farce 'Suite Surrender,' the cult musical 'The Rocky Horror Show,' and the heartwarming 'Bright Star.' Join us as we delve into the vibrant world of Dakota Stage and explore the stories, characters, and creative brilliance behind these productions.

A Season of Laughter and Drama: Spotlight on Dakota Stage's Upcoming Productions

It’s 1942, and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel — assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance…that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres, and a lap dog named Mr. Boodles round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic farces of the 30s and 40s

Suite Surrender

Dakota Stage

The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie—and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted. The farmer, instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others.

The Crucible

A poignant and funny comedy/drama about discovery, falling in love, overcoming adversity, and the ways, both sudden and slow, that lives can change irrevocably. After Callie meets Sara, the two unexpectedly fall in love. Their first kiss provokes a brutal attack that transforms their lives in a way they could never anticipate.

Stop Kiss

From the bonny shores of England comes the Styckes-Upon-Thump Repertory Theatre Company, a stuffy old travelling troupe embarking on their fifteenth annual farewell tour of the Dickens’ tale. The company includes Sir Selsdon Piddock, the consummate actor, in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, with Mrs. Bettina Salisbury, Dame Rowena Middleton-Lewis, Mrs. Cordelia ffoliet-ffolkes ffortescue Woods, Teddy Shub and Elyot Crummels in multiple supporting roles. Sweet Cynthia Imbry, the general understudy, suddenly finds herself thrust onstage to perform a role she’s ill-prepared for! Bettina, the company diva, pretends to be ill, certain the production will be cancelled. However, much to her shock and rage, the show does go on without her! Roles are shuffled at the last minute and poor Cynthia finds herself center stage. The play begins but mid-way through the theatre doors open and in rushes Bettina, determined to reclaim her roles. Mayhem ensues as this professional company scrambles to keep the show going and everything that could possibly go wrong does, to hilarious, ridiculous results!

Dickens’ Christmas Carol

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this Bee is one unforgettable experience.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

In a galaxy far, far away, Luke Warmwater and his aunt, Daft Ada, live a lonely life on their secluded space station, Junction 51. But when Princess Nebula’s ship crash lands into Luke’s bedroom, they soon learn of the evil Umpire and his dark desire to conquer the universe. Along with Toby Wonky Nosebleed, Zak Solo and Nigel the Nookie, they follow Princess Nebula in her rebellion. Aboard the Millennium Penguin, they whizz warp-speed through the galaxy to the Umpire’s High Tower on Planet Wimbledonia. But little do they know, the Umpire is about to strike back!

Star Warts: The Umpire Strikes Back

High Prairie Arts & Science

A group of actors, who have apparently been abandoned by their drama teacher, have to fend for themselves opening night in front of a live audience. Their teacher has left them hanging because no one has been showing up to rehearsals and no one is really quite sure what they are supposed to do. The student assistant director and the stage manager step in, find a box of scripts which they pass out to the cast, and try to throw something together. What follows is a rollicking show full of physical comedy, gags, and satirical re-writings of many plays from Shakespeare to Albee. This high school doesn’t just do a play, they do them all…in under 90 minutes!  

Just Another High School Play

Cameron doesn’t know what to write for an honors English assignment on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Luckily, friend Jaime has the solution… watch TV versions of the tales! But when Cameron points the unusual looking remote at the screen, expecting Netflix or Apple TV, instead they find the wackiest assortment of fairy-tale themed programming! There’s a Project Runway style competition show called “Project Ballgown,” a Frog Prince soap opera called “The Green and the Beautiful,” a game show hosted by Magic Mirror called, ”Who’s The Fairest One of All?,” and a sitcom starring Rumplestiltskin! The teens also find news stories, a Law and Order style show, a movie trailer, and of course, commercials!

Dakota Stage

8 - 18 May, 2025

Suite Surrender

9 - 19 Oct, 2025

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

4 - 14 Dec, 2025

A Christmas Story

Jan 29 - Feb 8, 2026

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt 2B

19 - 29 Mar, 2026

Making God Laugh

8 - 18 May, 2025

Suite Surrender

20 - 30 Mar, 2025

The Crucible

Articles & News

Dakota Stage