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The Little Mermaid, JR

Penguin Project Production

From classic literature to the Academy Award-winning film and Broadway musical, Ariel’s undersea journey is a beautiful love story for the ages.


The Penguin Project is a musical theatre production that casts youth aged 10-21 with disabilities in all roles.

July 10, 11 - 7 p.m.

July 12 - 2:30 pm. (sold out)

VINTAGE PLAYERS SENIOR MOMENTS LIFE IN THE WINGS

LIFE IN THE WINGS

a Vintage Players production

Twelve seniors reflect on parenting, potlucks, and PTA meetings through photos, personal stories, and side-splitting spoken words from Broadway hits. These vintage stars prove it's never too late for a standing ovation.


PERFORMANCE:

Saturday, July 19 at 6:30 PM

The Little Mermaid Penguin Project

FINDING NEMO, JR.

a Youth Troupe production


Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie.


PERFORMANCES: 

Friday, July 25 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 26 at 2:30 PM


Next To Normal Auditions

"NEXT TO NORMAL"

AUDITIONS: July 28


Director: Jamie Ulmer

Music Director:  Marilyn Foree

Stage Manager: Kim O'Brien


PERFORMANCES: September 19-28

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Office Closed

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7pm Penguin Project: Little Mermaid, Jr

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7pm Penguin Project: Little Mermaid, Jr

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2:30pm Penguin Project: Little Mermaid, Jr

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6:30pm Vintage Players: Life in the Wings

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5:30pm Theatre Lawrence annual meeting

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7pm Finding Nemo, Kids

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2:30pm Finding Nemo, Kids

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Volunteer open house

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Volunteer open house

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Volunteer open house

Get Involved

Join the Action: Get Involved and Make a Difference!

At Theatre Lawrence, we believe that getting involved is essential to fostering a vibrant performing arts community. By participating in our productions, you can enrich your skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and contribute to the cultural fabric of Lawrence. Join us and experience the power of live theatre firsthand.

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

A man with the words dramatically speaking behind him
By Jamie Ulmer July 8, 2025
I recently spent a week attending the American Association of Community Theatre’s biennial national festival. The main focus of the festival is performances by 12 shows selected through a series of state and regional festivals held around the country. But there’s much more to gatherings like this than just seeing shows. With workshops and exhibits, there’s always something new to learn—or something important to be reminded of. And of course, there are meetings—lots of meetings. I just wrapped up serving eight years on the organization’s board of directors. Most importantly, though, are the connections. In fact, that was one of the themes of the festival: “Theatre connects us all.” The hundreds of people in attendance represented the full range of community theatres, from small, all-volunteer organizations to multi-million-dollar institutions. Everyone shared the same connection—a passion for telling stories that strengthen our communities. Regardless of size or scope, we all face many of the same basic challenges. Whether in a formal workshop or a spontaneous conversation in the lobby, we came together to share, learn, and help each other thrive. You don’t have to attend a national festival to find that connection. You’ll feel it in the audience at events like our upcoming Penguin Project production of The Little Mermaid JR. , or with our Vintage Players and their reimagined annual showcase. We invite you to explore how you can become more involved at TL—perhaps by attending one of our upcoming volunteer open houses (details coming soon). It’s truly amazing what happens when we gather as a community to watch, play, and grow together. Theatre truly connects us all—and helps us all thrive—something we can all agree we need now more than ever. See you at the theatre, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director
A man with a beard is smiling in a circle on a blue background.
By Emily Giles July 2, 2025
By Jamie Ulmer June 2, 2025
What better way to kick off those laid-back summer vibes than with our season-closing musical, Escape to Margaritaville ? The music of Jimmy Buffett invites us to relax and enjoy ourselves—and let’s be honest, we could all use a little “License to Chill.” But what is it about Buffett and his music that inspired devoted fans, restaurants, resorts, and of course, a Broadway musical? Now, I’m no Parrothead, but it doesn’t take much to see the appeal. Buffett’s music blends multiple genres and sounds—country, rock, and Caribbean influences—that celebrate escapism, a relaxed attitude, and that unmistakable “beach life” feeling. His songs are relatable. We all want to find joy, freedom, and sometimes a little redemption, preferably with a dash of humor. It all adds up to a timeless appeal. Buffett’s music is custom-made for summer BBQs, sipping drinks poolside, or just taking a mental vacation in the middle of a hectic workday. That music, of course, led to an entire culture around being a Parrothead - Hawaiian shirts, margaritas, and chill vibes became the trademarks of devoted fans who try not to take life too seriously. And then there’s the business empire, which may contribute most to the enduring celebration of the “Buffett lifestyle,” even after his passing. He turned his persona into a brand—complete with restaurants, resorts (including one opening just down the road in a few weeks), and more. So now, it’s time to sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy your official start to summer. Enjoy the show, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director

Thank you to our sponsors

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