Theatre 7 - Decatur's Community Theatre

09/04/2026

Adam Lewandowski is back on stage with Theatre 7 to portray Oz Fudge, the real-life constable of the two-person police department in Gander, Newfoundland, in Come From Away.

"And that time of day, people are in a bit of a rush to get to work and stuff, so normally I sit there and run my radar. And if they're speeding, I'll stop 'em and write out a warning ticket. I'll write "STFD"... "Slow The **** Down."
- Oz

See the true story of Come From Away on Sept. 11-13 at Millikin. This powerful musical celebrates kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of global tragedy.

September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre, Shilling Hall, Millikin University
Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat/Sun at 2 pm

Tickets now available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30

09/04/2026

On Sept. 11, 2001, Sherie Holeman of Mt. Zion was working as a flight attendant returning from London when her plane, along with 37 others, was told to land immediately in Newfoundland after the U.S. airspace was closed following the terrorist attacks.

“Some people may know that all these planes landed in Gander, in Canada. If they hadn’t, I guess we would have just started dropping in the ocean.”

Come From Away is the remarkable true story of that day, based on interviews with passengers, flight crew, and local residents taken in Canada on the 10th anniversary. Some of the dialogue and songs in the show are direct quotations.

We are so grateful to Sherie for sharing her story with us and helping us to tell a story kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of a global tragedy.

“Everybody [in Canada] was so nice, they couldn’t have been nicer. That’s what people need to know and that’s what this show shows.”

See Come From Away on September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre, Shilling Hall, Millikin University. Tickets now available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30

Video: Jayson Albright

09/03/2026

Come From Away is Emily Wilkey's first production with Theatre 7, and she plays Captain Beverly Bass, among other characters.

“I’ve said for years that there are two shows I’d want to do in my lifetime, and this is one of them.

Come From Away is such a tremendous story that highlights what it means to pull together during a heartbreaking time because it’s important, and unity matters. I have distinctive memories of 9/11, feeling the first time in my life when everyone just seemed to have a common goal of American pride.

This is such an instrumental part of our history, and I feel lucky to tell the story.”

See the true story of Come From Away on Sept. 11-13 at Millikin. This powerful musical celebrates kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of global tragedy.

September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre, Shilling Hall, Millikin University
Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat/Sun at 2 pm

Tickets now available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30. General admission seating.

09/03/2026

Comfort dogs from PawPrint Ministries will be available in the lobby after the Saturday and Sunday matinee performances of Come From Away.

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. Come From Away is a powerful musical celebration of kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of global tragedy.

The heartfelt show explores the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded plane passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them with open arms.

Performances are September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre in Shilling Hall at Millikin University. Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat/Sun at 2 pm

Tickets available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30

09/01/2026

In Gander, Newfoundland, "a candle's in the window and the kettle's always on."

On Sept. 11, 2011, 7,000 international plane passengers were forced to land unexpectedly in a remote Canadian province after U.S. airspace was closed. The tight-knit community of Gander, which almost doubled in population overnight, opened its hearts and its homes (literally) to welcome stranded passengers from around the world.

Come see the true story of "Come From Away" on Sept. 11-13 at Millikin. This powerful musical celebrates kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of global tragedy.

September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre, Millikin University
Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat/Sun at 2 pm

Tickets now available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30. General admission seating.

08/31/2026

The Decatur 9/11 Memorial sits alongside Lake Decatur in Nelson Park. Made of a 13-foot beam from the World Trade Center, the memorial is a reminder to never forget the lives that were lost.

This year, Decatur will commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with the following events:
- The Decatur 911 Memorial Program at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11.
- A 110-story Memorial Stair Climb, 9am-7pm on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Hampton Inn in Mt. Zion.
- Performances of Come From Away from Sept. 11-13 at Millikin University. More information at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30

Photo by Decatur Magazine

08/31/2026

Read this latest Theatre 7 News!

Theatre 7 presents the inspirational musical ‘Come From Away,’ September 11-13, 2026, 7:30 pm, Friday & Saturday and 2 pm, Saturday & Sunday, in the Albert Taylor Theater, on the campus of Millikin University. The show will by performed without intermission. Tickets are general admission and can...

08/31/2026

At the start of a moment, on the edge of the world. Come From Away is a Tony-Award winning musical celebrating kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of global tragedy.

On September 11, 2001, the world changed forever. This musical takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded plane passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them with open arms.
Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Performances are September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre in Shilling Hall at Millikin University. Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat/Sun at 2 pm

Tickets available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30

Video by: Jayson Albright

08/28/2026

What does it mean to Come From Away?

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away is a celebration of kindness, resilience, and connection in the face of global tragedy.

On Sept. 11, 2011, 7,000 international plane passengers were forced to land unexpectedly in Newfoundland, Canada, after U.S. airspace was closed. So, a "come from away" is a local term for someone who isn't from Newfoundland, and for the show, it is also a celebration of the community members who welcomed them with open arms.

Performances are September 11-13 at the Albert Taylor Theatre in Shilling Hall at Millikin University. Fri/Sat at 7:30 pm, Sat/Sun at 2 pm

Tickets available at the door or online at https://www.theatre7.org/event-details/come-from-away-2026-09-11-19-30

Artwork: Jayson Albright
Logo: Jerry Johnson