Illinois Valley Community College ushers in a fresh chapter with Dr. Dale J. Young stepping in as the new Director of the Theatre Department. This fall, audiences can look forward to Young’s own creation, “Bottom’s on First 2.0,” alongside the acclaimed play “Proof” by David Auburn, which has earned both Pulitzer and Tony Awards. These productions promise a dynamic start under Young’s direction. For ticket information and show schedules, listeners are encouraged to visit the IVCC theatre website or Facebook, where all the latest updates about these upcoming performances are posted.
Expect a lively blend of comedy and classic literature as “Bottom’s on First 2.0” takes to the stage. Playwright and director Young brings together a Reader’s Theater-style performance brimming with Shakespearean fragments, clever puns, and vaudeville energy. The show aims to entertain while offering a playful look at language, promising laughs even for those wary of “the Bard.” Cast members Tyler Bienemann, Hope Laza, Isaac Fletcher, Tobias Burkey, Matt Masters, Sarah Masters, and Phillip Goodale will deliver both keen wit and slapstick antics in this inventive production—where Shakespeare’s words are merely the jumping-off point.
Tickets to “Bottom’s on First 2.0” will exclusively be available at the door, beginning one hour before each show. Audience members can attend for just $5 or provide non-perishable food items, which will support IVCC’s Eagles Peak Food Pantry. The performance schedule runs Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18, with a 7:30 PM curtain time. A matinee is set for Sunday, October 19, at 2 PM.
Food Donation Needs:
- Microwavable meals in cups/bowls
- Canned corn or green beans
- Stuffing
- Canned pumpkin
- Broth (any variety)
- Snack size cookies, chips, granola bars
- Condiments (any variety)
Local theater enthusiasts can look forward to IVCC’s latest production, “Proof,” featuring a dynamic cast led by Phoebe Kammer as Catherine, navigating the legacy of her late mathematician father, played by Joe Ennenbach. With the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire, portrayed by Ellie Radtke, and Hal, played by Alex Stafford, the story delves into family tension, romance, and the discovery of a mysterious notebook. The play explores whether Catherine has inherited her father’s mathematical brilliance or his instability. Director Young praises the script and the cast, which blends student talent and experienced community performers.
The Illinois Valley Community College theater department will present the acclaimed play “Proof” from November 20 through 22 at 7:30 PM, with a special Sunday matinee on November 23 at 2 PM. Online ticket sales open on October 10th through the IVCC theater website. Adult tickets are priced at $20, while those for high school students and younger cost $15. IVCC students enjoy complimentary admission to both productions. For more information or to reserve seats, visit ivcc.edu/theatre.
IVCC’s theater department welcomes Dr. Young, a Rock Island native and accomplished professional theater artist, to its faculty. Before joining IVCC in August, Dr. Young served as Dean of Arts and Behavioral Sciences at Illinois Central College in East Peoria. His extensive teaching and program coordination experience spans colleges in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The department anticipates fresh energy and expertise from Dr. Young, whose doctorate in theater positions him to inspire students and enrich the local arts community.
