SMSU Theatre presents Come From Away, Oct. 28-Nov. 1

Published Monday, October 19, 2026

SMSU Entertainment and Theatre Arts

SMSU Theatre opens its 59^th season and commemorates the 25^th anniversary of 9/11 with the heartfelt musical Come From Away, book, music, and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. Performances are October 28, 29, and 30 at 7:30 pm, October 31 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and November 1 at 2 pm in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets are $10 (plus fees) and advanced purchase is recommended online through GoFan at www.smsu.edu/go/theatretickets. Admission is free for First Responders/Military and SMSU employees and students (with valid SMSU ID). Free and convenient parking is available in lot B-1 behind the Fine Arts Building.

When American airspace suddenly closed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the rural Canadian town of Gander, Newfoundland opened its homes and hearts to nearly 7,000 passengers on 38 diverted flights. Come From Away celebrates this true story of human connection, generosity, and resilience with characters drawn from real-life and joyful songs blending Celtic, folk, rock, and pop influences.

The cast, production team, and band includes the following students, faculty, and community members:

Cast:

Damon Brown, a Marshall Area YMCA employee from Lynd, MN as Bob and others.
Amanda Castro, a North Star Mutual employee from Marshall, MN as Beulah and others.
Kennedy Diepenbrock, a freshman Communication Studies: Public Relations major from Rushford, MN as Bonnie and others.
Jamie Leonard, an SMSU Center for International Education employee from Tracy, MN as Annette and others.
JJ Ostenson, a junior Secondary History Education major with minors in Political Science and Entertainment and Theatre Arts-Acting/Directing, from Edgemont, SD as Kevin T. and others.
Nikki Salazar, a senior Music-Vocal Performance major from Montevideo, MN as Hannah and others.
Tom Schmitt, a Cold Front employee from Porter, MN as Claude and others.
Elly Sprik, a Hamilton Funeral Home employee from Marshall, MN as Beverley and others.
Julia Sterner, a senior Music-Vocal Performance major from Cottonwood, MN as Janice and others. Sterner is also the choreographer.
Noah Stoll, a sophomore Exercise Science major from Champlin, MN as Doug and others.
Harper Thole, a freshman Entertainment and Theatre Arts major and Music minor from Olivia, MN as Diane and others.
Michael Van Keulen, SMSU Associate Director of Student Success from Ghent, MN as Oz and others.
Isaac Wagner, a recent SMSU alum and Hy-Vee employee from Maple Lake, MN as Kevin J. and others.
Carter Watson, a Psychology major from Marshall, MN as Nick and others.

Production Team:

Professor of Theatre Sheila Tabaka of Marshall, MN is the director.
Jim Tabaka of Marshall, MN is the musical director.
Caleb Ruppert, a senior Entertainment and Theatre Arts major from Marshall, MN, is the assistant director and lighting designer.
Priscilla Muehr, a senior Entertainment and Theatre Arts major from Luverne, MN, is the scenic designer.
Kayla Browen, a senior Secondary Music Education-Instrumental major and Entertainment and Theatre Arts-Design/Technical Theatre minor from Worthington, MN, is the costume and makeup designer.
Chris Payne, a guest artist from Chicago, IL, is the sound designer and mixer.
Amelia Reid, a senior Environmental Science-Natural Science major from Eden Valley, MN, is the props designer.
Olivia Houseman, a senior Entertainment and Theatre Arts major from Marshall, MN, is the stage manager.
Ethan Johnson, a junior Computer Science major from Fulda, MN is an assistant stage manager.
Jorgia Worden, a sophomore Music in the Liberal Arts major, Entertainment and Theatre Arts-Design/Technical Theatre minor from Sioux Falls, SD is an assistant stage manager.
Assistant Professor of Theatre Tetta M. Askeland of Marshall, MN is the technical director.
Professor of Theatre Nadine Purvis Schmidt of Estelline, SD is the producer and dialect consultant.
Alex Wells, a senior Communication Studies: Broadcasting and Digital Media major, is a dialect consultant.
Laura Bradley, a senior History and Entertainment and Theatre Arts double major from Brooklyn Park, MN is the dramaturg and house manager.

Band:

Keyboards – Stacey Bosveld and Cheryl Jeska
Electric and Acoustic Guitars – Jim Tabaka
Acoustic Guitar, Mandolins – Zach Haltvick
Bass – Wes Myers
Bodhran, Percussion – Edin Hamilton, SMSU student
Drums, Percussion – Stephen Leek

Come From Away is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.com

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