NMSU Theatre Arts New Season, 2025-2026

Please note our new start time for evening shows: 7pm!

Sanctuary City, a play by Martyna Majok

Performances: 10/3,10/4, 10/10, 10/11 at 7pm, 10/12 at 2pm. Preview on 10/2 at 5:30pm - all tickets ½ price - high school students with ID are free!

In post-9/11 Newark, NJ, two teenagers who were brought to the U.S. as children become one another’s sanctuaries from harsh circumstances. As the two move from adolescence to adulthood they confront what stands between the futures they imagine for themselves and the futures they are able to pursue. Their desires, dreams and realities complicate and threaten even the relationship that once felt like protection in the face of the rest of the world.

CONTENT ADVISORY: Sanctuary City contains adult language, themes and flashing lights. If you would like more information, feel free to ask our box office staff!

A Christmas Carol, adapted by Niall McGinty, based on the original story by Charles Dickens

Performances 11/29, 12/4, 12/5, 12/6 at 7pm. Matinees at 2pm on 11/30 and 12/6.

Celebrate the season with us!

This holiday classic follows the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future as they guide the bitter old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey to redemption and transformation. Full of music, dancing, and haunting storytelling, this show is a perfect time to spend with your friends and family.

The High Desert New Play Festival

Performances 3/6, 3/7, and 3/8.

A festival of new works. Original one acts, excerpts and monologues by students and other Las Cruces writers. Full-length readings of plays by nationally recognized playwrights in residence at NMSU. A celebration of theater of and for this moment.

One $10 general admission ticket will give access to all presentations during the entire festival.

TICKETS:

$10 GENERAL ADMISSION FOR THE WHOLE FESTIVAL. One ticket is good for as many readings as the audience member wants to attend. https://nmsutheatre.ludus.com/index.php

SCHEDULE:

Friday, 3/6 7pm A Little Brown Girl Crosses a Silly Little Line by Alexis Elisa Macedo

 Coming from a long line of superheroes disguised as campesinos, Maricela dreams of the day she’ll have the super powers her family has hidden. When Maricela is taken out of the fields and put into public school her family is terrified that their secret identities will be revealed. Maricela’s world is shattered as she struggles to fight for what she believes is right in a world she doesn’t understand. Blending childhood imagination with harsh reality, Macedo’s play redefines heroism, honoring the daily resilience, tenacity, and determination of Mexican immigrants that make them everyday heroes.

Learn more about Alexis Elisa Macedo HERE

Saturday, 3/7

3-4:15pm Excerpts and Shorts by Local Writers

4:30-5:30pm Excerpts and Shorts by Local Writers

5:30-7pm Dinner Break 7pm a river, its mouths by Jesús I. Valles

 Struggling with severe depression, You return to your hometown in Texas, right by the river that raised You, right on the border with Mexico. It’s the summer of 2019 and the Rio Bravo keeps claiming migrants’ lives during their perilous crossings. However, the people in your hometown are much more interested in talking about "The Rio Grande mermaid,” a creature rumored to haunt the river, clawing its way out of the sand, out of the water, into the air, into your head, haunting the mouths of family, friends, and strangers. Something in the water calls to You. “Come,” the river says, “Come to me.”

Learn more about Jesús I. Valles HERE

Sunday, 3/8

1:30pm Celebration of Bill Storm

2pm Middle School Shorts

3:30pm Monologues

THE LOCAL WORKS:

A Picture of a Woman on an Island by Lucene Drissell

A Simple Boon by Hyacinth Faye Panganiban

Sitting Naked by the Phone by Maria Torres

I Forgot to Hide Daryl by Drea Hurell

Old Friends by Mary A. Rogan

Paper Crutches by James Jerome

Rey De La Luna by Diego Muñoz Holguin

The Book of John by Alycia Herrera

Into the Woods, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine

Performances: 4/24, 4/25, 5/1, 5/2 at 7pm, 5/3 at 2pm. Preview performance on 4/23 at 5:30pm, all tickets ½ price - high school students with ID are free!

Storybook characters come to life in this Tony-Award winning musical, an epically fantastic medley of fairytales from Brothers Grimm. Everyone has something they deeply wish for: the Baker and his wife wish to have a child; Cinderella wishes to attend the King’s Festival; Jack wishes his cow would give milk. What happens after your wish is granted? Don’t miss this iconic musical, featuring the brilliance of the legendary composer, the late Stephen Sondheim.

 Box Office Hours:

Normal Hours: Thursdays & Fridays 2:00pm-5:00pm

The week of performances: Tuesday through Friday 2:00pm-5:00pm

PERFORMANCE DAYS: Box office will be open ONE HOUR prior to the start of every show

Purchase By Phone: 575-646-4515   Online: https://nmsutheatre.ludus.com/

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We invite you to join our Center Stage Society!

This donation goes to the American Southwest Theatre Company which supports our students via funding guest artists, travel scholarships, a senior scholarship, and enhancements to our season's productions. 

Below are our different levels of donations, please take a look and contact Tina Wayt, 575-646-5122 or mtina@nmsu.edu, to arrange your ASTC donation:

ASTC Giving Levels:

• Leading Player: $1-$99
• Marquee Club: $100-$249
• Spotlight Donor: $250-$499

Center Stage Society Donation Levels:

• Standing Ovation: $500-$999
• Show Stopper: $1000 to $1,999
• Headliner: $2000-$3499
• Impresario: $3500+

While we are having to be flexible with our production season, please know that we will do our very best to provide you with theatrical experiences from our program. We hope you will consider both a season subscription and becoming a donor – our students, faculty, and staff appreciate your support. 

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

With Best Regards,

Wil Kilroy and the faculty, staff, and students of NMSU and ASTC

Thank you  for supporting the arts!