Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Theatre - MVLCT

06/22/2026

In 1986, the world watched as seven astronauts boarded the Space Shuttle Challenger and dared to reach beyond what seemed possible. ⭐️

There is something deeply human about our need to look upward and wonder what comes next. "Defying Gravity" is a powerful reminder that progress has always demanded courage — and sometimes unimaginable sacrifice.

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre invites you to experience "Defying Gravity" — a powerful story about ambition, sacrifice, and the human need to reach beyond what seems possible. 🚀

This August.

Tickets on sale at https://mvlct.booktix.com/
👨‍🚀️

06/17/2026

First read-thru of Defying Gravity. Y'all, this is gonna be an amazing show!

06/15/2026

That’s a wrap on The Laramie Project. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this production and to everyone who helped bring this important story to life. We are grateful for a community that continues to believe in the power of theatre to spark conversation, reflection, and connection. Thank you for being part of this journey.🩷🧡💛💚💙💜

📸 by Mehrdad Zarifkar

06/13/2026

Tonight is the final.night.of The Laramie Project AND it is our ASL performance.

Don't miss this show!

🌈JUNE 13TH IS ASL NIGHT FOR THE LARAMIE PROJECT!!

🎭 ASL Night at MVLCT! We are proud to offer an American Sign Language-interpreted performance of The Laramie Project. Theatre is at its best when everyone can take part in the experience, and we look forward to welcoming audiences for this special performance.

Get your tickets at https://mvlct.booktix.com/ 🌈

06/12/2026

Listen to the KICI Green Room interview about The Laramie Project.

Only two more chances to see this important show.

Don't miss out.

KICI is a radio station in Iowa City, Iowa playing an eclectic mix of thoughtful talk and music. The station has a healthy mix of local, statewide, regional and nationwide programming.

06/11/2026

MVLCT is excited to announce the cast and crew for our upcoming production of Defying Gravity!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who auditioned. We were inspired by the incredible talent that came through our doors. Congratulations to the artists who will be bringing this beautiful story to life—we can't wait to begin the journey.

Meet the cast and crew below!

CAST
Monet- Jen Smith
Teacher- Courtenay Baker
Elizabeth- Emily Irwin
Ed- Duane Larson
Betty- Christine Enderle
Donna- Melanie Hance
CB- Sam Nester

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director- Kami Zbanek Hill
Producers- Braden JP Rood & John Zbanek Hill
Stage Management- Meg Dye
Set Design/Construction- Jeremy Eble, Kami Zbanek Hill, John Zbanek Hill
Lighting Design- Roxy Johnson
Sound Design- Ethan Glenn
Costume Design- Joni Sackett
Publicity- Braden JP Rood
Website-Courtenay Baker

Tickets on sale June 15th at https://mvlct.booktix.com/

ABOUT DEFYING GRAVITY by Jane Anderson
This free-structured look at the 1986 Challenger disaster places the teacher who died with six others as they hurtled into space at the center of an exploration of our need to reach beyond ourselves and dare the universe.

Defying Gravity artfully interweaves the past with the present and the lives of participants and bystanders, drawing parallels among painter Claude Monet's artistic quest, the zest of the teacher selected to the first civilian astronaut, the perspectives of her grieving daughter, the aspirations of elderly tourists who drive their Winnebago to Florida to watch the space shot and dream of hotels in space, the guilt felt by a NASA mechanic, and his girlfriend's fear of heights.

Courtesy of Concord Theatricals

06/10/2026

Only two chances remain to see The Laramie Project at MVLCT.

This weekend is your last opportunity to experience this moving and impactful production. Saturday's performance will be ASL interpreted.

Join us as we share a story that continues to resonate and spark important conversations nearly 30 years later.

Don't miss your chance to experience this important story before it closes.

Tickets on sale at https://mvlct.booktix.com/

06/07/2026

Our matinee is today at 2PM

Don't miss out on The Laramie Project.
It is important.

https://mvlct.booktix.com/