The Christian University Theatre Festival (CUTF) is an annual multi-college theatre festival founded approximately 26 years ago by Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne and Wayland universities. It was designed to celebrate the arts, specifically theatre, in small, private Christian institutions of higher learning.
It is intended to be a meeting place for Christian colleges to display their talents and hard work through their productions with the mutual goal of glorifying Christ and creating community among similar institutions. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with students outside of the students’ immediate acquaintances, providing an excellent networking opportunity through the productions, workshops, meals and fellowship shared with like-minded students.
Fellowship is also fostered through the setup and strike of all productions as all schools are required to assist the other schools. CUTF is hosted by one of the member-schools each year and will be held at HSU this year. It will be held March 3-5 in Van Ellis Theatre, however, the schedule is yet to be determined so stay tuned. This is free and open to all theatre lovers, be they students, staff, faculty or the general public.
The CUTF 2025 season will consist of God’s Favorite by Neil Simon brought by HSU, Anastasia by Terrence McNally performed by Howard Payne and Laura Teasdale’s Murder by the Book performed by Lubbock Christian as well as a special performance of the one-woman show No Panic in Heaven, about the life of Corrie Ten Boom, by the playwright herself, Terri Castleberry. Castleberry is a 1980 HSU theatre alum, and this year’s respondent. She will provide feedback on the shows and guidance to the actors throughout the festival.
If you are looking for something to distract from homework stress or a thought-provoking piece to reflect on, CUTF offers it all through the variety of performances being offered. If comedies are not your style and you are not a musical fan, perhaps you would enjoy Castleberry’s performance instead. How often is one able to say they saw a performance of a show by the playwright herself? HSU cordially invites you to CUTF 2025 and looks forward to seeing you this year at the last showing of God’s Favorite.
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