24-25 SEASON!

From screwball comedy to heartfelt tales to classic mystery, AET’s 21st season has a stellar lineup. Make certain not to miss out. Fiex Passes are on sale now. Purchase a Flex Pass for the 24-25 season HERE or download a Flex Pass order form. OR call the AET box office (open M-F, 11-3) at 815-394-5004

NOW PLAYING: ANNABELLA IN JULY

Lisa Turbyville, David A. Gingerich, Kevin McKillip

Vanessa and Brian are on a 20th anniversary trip to the mountains. And they’re lost. They stop at a ski lodge to ask directions and are dumbfounded when everyone there rapturously greets Vanessa as their beloved Annabella. Now matter how often she insists she’s a librarian from Nebraska, they know better. Husband Brian is at first bemused, then alarmed, when Annabella’s admirers include a dashing Frenchman. Vanessa is kind of starting to enjoy this whole mistaken identity. Add in a magical door that has a mind of its own and you have a romantic comedy with a dash of magic. Now playing through May 26/

NOW PLAYING: THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT

It’s an epic battle between TRUTH, in the person of the writer, John (David A. Gingerich), and FACTS, in the person of Jim (Ian Garthwaite), the unpaid intern assigned to fact check John’s essay. Caught in the middle is the much-put-upon editor, Emily (Ricki G. Ravitts) in this smart, wickedly funny new play, running at AET Nov. 2-19. Call (815) 394-5004 or visit artistsensemble.org/tickets #AET20th

LOVERS & LIARS •  Sept. 29-30

AET’s celebrates our Roaring 20th with Lovers & Liars, an evening of scenes & stories from our past seasons. From Jeeves and Wooster to Radio Gals, we recreate memorable scenes and songs from the past . This is a pay-what-you-can event. No tickets, just a donation jar. Friday & Saturday at 7:30, Sept. 29-30, in the Cheek Theatre.

Now playing: THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT

Don’t miss this world premiere Agatha Christie adventure/mystery/romance now playing at AET through May 28. Anne Beddingfeld has lived her whole life in the village of Little Hampsly, where nothing exciting EVER happens. Now, within a matter of days, she’s involved in a murder investigation and boarding a ship bound for Africa. And that’s just the beginning!

FINAL WEEK for JUMPING TO DELUSIONS

Wild and wacky, hilarious, and heartbreaking — JUMPING TO DELUSIONS veers from vaudeville shenanigans to searing anguish to sketch comedy. This play is a freewheeling look at people coping with mental illness. it shines a compassionate light on their struggles and pokes a LOT of fun at some of society’s misconceptions. Co-directed by Stephen F. Vrtol III and Richard Raether, this play closes April 2. Get tickets HERE.

Auditions for AET's 20th Season

For the first time in two years, AET is holding local in-person auditions!

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 28 from 1-4 pm
WHERE: Cheek Theatre at Rockford University
APPOINTMENT: E-mail: rraether@artistsensemble.org

Prepare one or two monologues, no longer than two minutes OR material will be provided to read. Auditions are for roles in all productions in AET’s 2023-24 season.

Actors Equity auditions are Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Equity Center in Chicago.

MYSTERY THEATER • Oct. 21-22

October is Mystery Month at AET, which presents two very different detectives in a faux broadcast from the Golden Age of Radio. In the first episode, Hercule Poirot exercises the little gray cells to unravel a series of deaths attributed to a curse. In the second episode, a glamorous private eye tracks a killer who strikes without making a sound.

Performances are at 7:30, Oct. 21-22 in the Cheek Theatre in the Clark Arts Center. This is a pay-what-you-can event. No tickets, just a donation jar.