Grab your playbills: Carleton University’s theatre companies have unveiled their 2025-26 show line-ups, rife with student and alumni talent.
Carleton Musical Theatre Society and Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s shows this year — announced online Wednesday — will include a Shakespearian twist, Dolly Parton throwback and classic novel adaptation.
With shows set to run as early as November, here’s what you need to know about campus productions this year.
Carleton Musical Theatre Society to put on ‘9 to 5: the Musical’
Carleton’s Musical Theatre Society will be putting on 9 to 5: The Musical, adapted from an ‘80s comedy of the same name starring Dolly Parton as the main character and the writer of the film’s iconic tracks.
The movie was adapted into a musical with new songs from Parton in 2009.
The plot centres around three secretaries (you’ll never guess what hours they work!) who plot to take down their company’s sexist, narcissistic vice-president. The result is a hilarious, surreally comedic plot.
Director Kenzie Barrera and assistant director Defne Edirnecik, who both previously worked with the uOttawa Theatre Club, will spearhead the production team. Other team members include stage manager Emma Duplessis, executive producer Anthony Bathurst, vocal director Maggie Wolfe and choreographer Claire Borgaonkar.
Auditions for the musical will run on Sept. 16 and 18 from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and Sept. 20 from 12 to 4:30 p.m., with a registration deadline of Sept. 14. Details about the show location and times are yet to come.
Sock ‘n’ Buskin will open with Qui Nguyen’s ‘She Kills Monsters’ in November
She Kills Monsters will be the first of Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s classic three-play run. Written by Qui Nguyen, the story follows a young girl’s self-discovery and efforts to revive her sister’s Dungeons & Dragons campaign after her family’s death.
The play includes talk of homophobia, as well as staged combat and a staged kiss under peer pressure, Sock ‘n’ Buskin warned on their website.
The team behind the production includes Sock ‘n’ Buskin veteran Erin Chappel as director, Julia Carroll as assistant director, Devan Sharma as stage manager, plus Alec Kyte and Katherine Duran as assistant stage managers.
Volunteers can sign up to help with the production before Wednesday. The show is set to run Nov. 13 to 16 with the location yet to be announced.
Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s mid-season show will be ‘Hamlet’-esque ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead’ in January 2026
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is a modern drama originally written by Tom Stoppard. The plot exists within the events of Hamlet, but highlights the perspective of the titular minor characters exploring how they ended up trapped in the tragedy.
The play material will include murder, suicide and discussions of sexual assault, Sock ‘n’ Buskin warned.
Naomi Badour will direct the show, with assistant director Rebecca Johnson, stage manager Gabbie Cruz and assistant stage managers Lara Daglik and Teresita Thorne.
Auditions for the play will take place in October, and the show will run in January.
Sock ‘n’ Buskin to close season with ‘Little Women’ in March 2026
Sock ‘n’ Buskin will close the season with Little Women, adapted for stage by Marisha Chamberlain from Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel.
The story follows four sisters — Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg March — growing up during the American Civil War, closely examining their varying dreams while intertwining tales of love, loss and heartbreak.
Sock ‘n’ Buskin regulars are driving production, including director Smridhi Malhotra and assistant director Corey Newman.
The theatre company warned the show will include depictions of death.
The show is slated to run in March 2026, with auditions taking place in January.
Show updates can be found on Sock ‘n’ Buskin and CMTS’ websites and social media.
Featured graphic by Alisha Velji/the Charlatan
