IU Kokomo presents Pride and Prejudice in Havens Auditorium

KOKOMO, Ind. - Indiana University Kokomo returns to 19^th century England, as the Department of Communications and Performing Arts presents Pride and Prejudice.

Performances of the adaptation of Jane Austen's classic story are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16; and 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 17 in Havens Auditorium. Tickets are $10 (cash only) general admission, $5 for students (K-12 and college); and free for children younger than 6.

Joann Kaiser, teaching professor in communication arts, directs the production - her last before retiring in May 2025. She previously directed a campus production of Pride and Prejudice in 2016.

The romance is part of the appeal of the show, she said, adding that when it was written in 1797, it was groundbreaking.

"It was feminist," she said. "The Bennet family didn't seem to care a lot about social proprieties, and Elizabeth is the daughter who refuses to marry for money, she wants to marry for love. I think it's popular because of the love story, but also because of the strong female characters."

Audiences will enjoy the fast-paced version of the story, she said.

"If they are familiar at all with it, they will enjoy seeing a younger cast, how much work they've put into it, and the joy of one of the most famous love stories ever," Kaiser said.

Her favorite part about directing theater productions is the relationships students create in the process.

"I've always considered that part of the objective of doing college theater is the community they build, and the friendships they gain," she said.

Senior Mason Gottshall, who plays the part of Mr. Darcy, said participating in theater has been an important part of his IU Kokomo experience.

"My freshman year, I didn't have very many friends," said Gottshall, a computer science major from Camden. "Once I started actively participating in the program, that changed. I've met almost all my friends through theater. I love the community we've formed around it. It's helped me in more ways than I can describe."

He's excited to play one of the romantic leads in the show.

"I really love Mr. Darcy's growth," he said. "Out of all the characters in the show, he was the one I really wanted to portray. I love seeing his evolution as a character, going from this more stern, not very emotional person into somebody who is willing to admit his faults and try to improve himself for the sake of the people around him."

He encouraged people to attend one of the performances.

"I think it's a show everyone needs to see," Gottshall said. "We are putting our all into it. I am proud of the cast. This version is a good way to introduce someone to the book if they've never read it before. "

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

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