By RYAN SKAITH
Theatre Northwest opens its spring season this month with a double feature of student-directed plays that explore the complexities of love, loss, and superheroes.
The productions, which are part of the Second Stage Repertory series, offer a distinctively live experience that student-director Korbin Horton believes cannot be replicated on screen.
“Seeing people move, talk and feel live is unlike anything you can experience watching a movie or a TV show,” Horton said. “At Theatre Northwest, we tell stories that are meaningful and entertaining for all audiences, whether you’ve seen countless plays or this is your first one.”
The season begins with “Treehouse,” written by Joe Musso and directed by Remington Carter, a junior speech and theatre education major. The play centers on 17-year-old Johnny, who claims to possess the mind of a 53-year-old while navigating the typical hurdles of adolescence and heartbreak.
Carter noted that the play’s core message—centered on what the protagonist calls "the eternal summer that shall not fade"—serves as a reminder to cherish the present.
“It’s important just to appreciate those things, find the meaning in your life and appreciate it while it’s still there,” Carter said.
- When: Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
- Where: Studio Theater, Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.
Shifting gears from drama to comedy, the weekend continues with Adam Szymkowicz’s “Hearts Like Fists.” Directed by Horton, the superhero noir follows a group called the Crimestoppers as they attempt to foil the villainous Dr. X, who targets lovers with lethal poison.
Horton chose the play for its ability to mask deep, relatable themes with high-energy action.
“Behind all of the weird, silly, fun stuff that’s happening, there are actual, real themes and messages that people can apply to their everyday lives,” Horton said.
- When: Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
- Where: Studio Theater, Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.
As part of the Second Stage Repertory, every aspect of these productions—from acting and directing to set design—is handled by students. For speech and theatre education majors, the experience is a graduation requirement that builds professional camaraderie.
“Having that opportunity allows you to build a connection with other peers,” Carter said. “That’s been super helpful in my time here at Northwest.”
Ticket Information: Tickets for both shows are $7.00 and can be purchased online at the Northwest Fine Arts website or at the box office one hour before curtain.
The Theatre Northwest season will conclude later this spring with “The Squirrels,” running April 9–12.