Forward Theater Company

10/19/2026

Time to dive into the world of GASLIGHT, and theres' no better place to start than an interview with the playwright. We can't wait to share this fresh adaptation from Steven Dietz, and this one-on-one with our friends at Northlight Theatre provides some wonderful context and insight into the work. Highly recommend 🤓

Our Artistic Director BJ Jones sat down with the playwright of Gaslight to get the scoop on why he decided ...

10/15/2026

FUN FACT : Our upcoming adaptation of GASLIGHT takes place in NYC's Gilded Age. Wanna know more? This HBO series is wonderful chance to soak up the sights, sounds, and gorgeous design of this transformative period in history. We can't wait to check it out!

On the verge of greatness, everything is at stake. Season 4 of #...

10/11/2026

MYSTERY, SHE WATCHED. 🕯️ Long before Murder, She Wrote, a 17-year-old Angela Lansbury made her film debut as Nancy, the cheeky maid in Gaslight (1944). She stole scenes and an Oscar nomination at the same time.

Catch her (and Ingrid Bergman, in an Oscar-winning role) at our FREE screening at the Chazen Museum of Art - 750 University Ave, Thursday, Oct 15 at 5:00pm sharp.

Jessica Fletcher would want you to examine the evidence, but we're confident it's going to be a good time.

10/09/2026

There's nothing like the first day of school 😀 The first rehearsal of GASLIGHT included great food, design presentations, and a wonderful readthrough by this wildly talented cast. We're so excited to present the Wisconsin premiere of this new adaptation by Steven Dietz.

Shown above -
Photo 1: The cast and production team for GASLIGHT
Photo 2: Kenzie Smith (Asst Stage Manager), Celia Klehr (FTC Company Manager), and Abbi Hess (Stage Manager)
Photo 3: Phoebe González (Bella Manningham)
Photo 4: Michael Huftile (Sergeant Rough) & Neil Brookshire (Jack Manningham)
Photo 5: Karen Brown-Larimore (Costume Designer)

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Gaslight
by Steven Dietz
Adapted from the original play by Patrick Hamilton
Directed by Jen Uphoff Gray

Oct 29 - Nov 22 at Overture Center

Featuring Neil Brookshire, Rhonda Rae Busch, Nick Chiaverini, Trey Danis III, Phoebe González, Caroline Hansen, Michael Huftile, and Stuart Jameson.

Scenic Designer: Lisa Schlenker
Lighting Designer: Noele Stollmack
Costume Designer: Karen Brown-Larimore
Composer & Sound Designer: Joe Cerqua
Props Director: Jolie Sarajian
Technical Director: Aaron Sewell
Stage Manager: Abbi Hess
Assistant Stage Manager: Kenzie Smith
Assistant Director: Casem AbuLughod
Fight Choreographer: Whitney Derendinger
Assistant Scenic Designer: Caroline Dischell

Producers: Jacqui & Steve Suleski
Sponsor: MG&E
Media Sponsor: City Cast Madison

10/06/2026

We're excited to announce that we're participating in Women+ on the Edge of Democracy on Sunday, 11/1 at 7pm at Overture Center for the Arts. This festival is a national conversation on democracy with communities from over 39 states. gathers some of the most insightful playwrights of our time to witness, question, and illuminate this pivotal chapter in American civic life. Stay tuned for the list of short plays on tap for this memorable evening!

10/06/2026

The Wisconsin Book Festival is almost here! From October 15-18, join our friends for their 25th Annual Fall Celebration. Get the chance to hear from and meet more than 80 authors across 55+ events. Head to their website at wisconsinbookfestival.org to view the full lineup, and start planning your bookish itinerary today.

10/01/2026

You asked, we answered! Forward is pleased to announce an inaugural course for our theatergoers.

Behind the Curtain, a two-part educational adventure, draws back that curtain on how we bring our productions to the stage. From mining a script to envisioning construction, we’ll offer an intimate, behind-the-scenes tour of our creative and practical process. For our first course, we’ll use our upcoming production of GASLIGHT as our case study. Join us!

GASLIGHT: Behind the Curtain
Session One: Reading a Play: Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 6:30-8:30 PM
Session Two: Building a Production: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 6:30-8:30 PM

Classes will be held in our rehearsal space - the Rotunda Studio at Overture Center (lower level).

This two-part course offers intimate tour of our creative and practical process that brings a production to the stage, from mining a script for crucial elements to consider before casting and design, to planning and executing construction of the choices that you see in the Playhouse

09/27/2026

Congratulations and happy closing performance to the cast, crew, and artistic team of STEADY SHE GOES! What a thrilling way to kick off the 2026-27 season. We're so proud of and grateful to those that helped bring this breathtaking story to life, from a staged reading with Four Seasons Theatre to a world premiere hit as a part of World Premiere Wisconsin.

STEADY SHE GOES
by Erica Berman
Original arrangements by Scott McKenna Campbell
Directed by Brian Cowing

Sept 10-27, 2026

Overture Center for the Arts

Featuring Matt Daniels, Maya Danks, Sam Frank-Taylor, Seth K. Hale, Andrew Linden, Andreas Transø, and Jennifer Vosters

Scenic & Lighting Designer: Jason Fassl�
Costume Designer: Shelley Cornia�
Sound Designer: James Uphoff�
Props Director: Jolie Sarajian�
Stage Manager: Abbi Hess�Asst.
Stage Manager: Kenzie Smith�
Music Director: Sam Frank-Taylor��

Technical Director: Aaron Sewell�
Associate Scenic Designer: KyLee Hennes�
Audio Engineer: Noah Strong�
Wardrobe Supervisor: Reina Werth�
Head Electrician: Julia McDaniel�
Theater Technician: Brad Toberman

Associate Sponsor: West Bend Insurance

09/24/2026

SIX PERFORMANCES LEFT for 'Steady She Goes.' Audiences have been "blown away" by this musical maritime adventure, and you only have a few more chances to see why. Tickets are limited but there are still seats remaining - best availability is Thursday 9/24 at 2pm and Saturday 9/26 at 2pm and 7:30pm.

Photo 1: Jennifer Vosters; Photo 2: Jennifer Vosters & Seth K. Hale; Photo 3: Maya Danks; Photo 4: Andreas Transø & Maya Danks; Photo 5: Andrew Linden & Maya Danks

Photos by Ross Zentner

09/23/2026

If you missed our Idea Fest event yesterday featuring 'Steady She Goes' playwright Erica Berman and 'The Sea Captain's Wife' author Tilar J. Mazzeo, you can check out this delightful recap of the "love fest" by Lindsay Christians at The Capital Times.

Forward Theater’s Jennifer Uphoff Gray moderated a “love fest” between Tilar J. Mazzeo and Erica Berman, who both wrote about an extraordinary journey.