Oakton Brings Theater, Music and More to the Stage this Fall

Des Plaines, Ill. (Aug. 26, 2026) - Powerful stories. Show-stopping guitarists. Student creativity. And plenty of music and laughter. Community members are invited to experience Oakton College’s vibrant fall season of performances and special events, beginning in September and continuing through December. Get your ticket today!

“From stories that move us to music that brings us together, there’s something special about experiencing the performing arts in-person,” said Bob Gynn, chair and distinguished professor of Oakton’s Speech, Theater and Performing Arts Center. “We’re excited to welcome our neighbors to Oakton for a season that celebrates performing arts, showcases our talented students and gives audiences plenty of reasons to take a seat and enjoy the show.”


Tribute 9/11: Ordinary People, Remarkable Stories
Sept. 10 at 12:30 p.m., Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., Sept. 12 at 6 p.m., and Sept. 13 at 2 p.m.
A staged reading written by Donna Kaz and directed by Mary Ringstad-Gagliano weaves together the perspectives of 10 individuals who were directly impacted by the events of 9/11. Their stories include those of family members who lost loved ones and survivors of the North and South Towers. The reading also shares the experiences of an evacuated area resident and a volunteer rescue worker who survived the collapse of the towers. Other perspectives include a retired FDNY firefighter who responded to the site, an NYC Department of Sanitation employee who volunteered in the rescue efforts and a New Jersey resident who worked with the Salvation Army during the recovery. The individual experiences are told firsthand and woven together into a theatrical presentation that shares their unique and inspiring responses.

Free Admission; courtyard. In case of inclement weather, performances will be moved to Studio One Theater, Des Plaines campus, 1600 E. Golf Road

Guitar Festival
Oct. 9, free workshops from 1-4 p.m. and a concert at 8 p.m.
Oct. 10, free workshops from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and a concert at 8 p.m.
Some of the world’s great guitarists will come to Oakton for its seventh annual celebration of guitar virtuosity. This year’s festival features Randy Roos, Sheryl Bailey, Joe Lo Piccolo and Richard Gilewitz. Before each concert, students and community members are invited to bring their own guitar and attend any of the free guitar workshops offered by the guitarists and Oakton’s music faculty. Concert admission is free for workshop attendees.

Admission: general admission $12, students and seniors $10, Studio One Theater, Des Plaines campus

Dear Rhoda
Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
A staged reading by Donna Russell and David Ranney, adapted and directed by Peter Garino, presented by The Shakespeare Project of Chicago. A trunk of letters, abandoned for nearly a century, unlocks a forgotten world. They reveal the passionate long-distance affair between Rhoda, confined to a TB sanitarium, and Jerry, a bookseller, in the tumultuous 1920s. Their words weave a story of a love that defiantly countered bigotry and political persecution with poetry, music and left-wing ideals. Their struggles and joys played out in Chicago’s bohemian underground at the Dill Pickle Club, vividly bringing their rediscovered message of hope and resilience to life.

Free admission; Rooms A145/A152, Ray Hartstein campus, 7701 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie

Play On Student Playwriting Festival
Nov. 20 & 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 22 at 2 p.m
Now celebrating its seventeenth year, Play On gives community college playwrights a chance to shine! Be the first to see selections written by students from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Proceeds benefit performing arts students at Oakton.

Admission: general admission $10, students and seniors $5, Studio One Theater, Des Plaines Campus

Chiune: Visas for Life
Noh Theatre Lecture/Demonstration, Oct. 22 at 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Performances, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.
This traditional Japanese Noh performance is presented by Theatre Nohgaku and Oakton, with text by Mariko Anno and music by Anno and Takako Kawauchi. Based on the true story of Sugihara Chiune, a Japanese diplomat who served as vice-consul in Kaunas, Lithuania, the production follows his courageous actions during World War II. Sugihara helped thousands of Jews escape Europe by issuing transit visas that allowed them to travel through Japanese territory. In doing so, he risked his career and the safety of his family.

Free admission to the lecture/demonstration, Student Center, Des Plaines campus
Admission to performances: general $15, students and seniors $10, Footlik Theater, Des Plaines campus


Choral/Vocal Concert: The Forces of Nature
Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.
Join the Oakton Choir under the direction of Mallory Harding for a concert exploring the power and beauty of the natural world through music. The program includes “Storm” by James DesJardins and “Fire” by Katerina Gimon, two contemporary works that bring the elements to life through choral performance.

Admission: general $8, student and seniors $6, Footlik Theater, Des Plaines campus

Jazz Invasion
Dec. 4 at 8 p.m.
Experience the swinging and toe-tapping sounds of the Oakton Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mark Olen. The concert repertoire will feature a variety of styles and composers, sure to delight one and all. Come and enjoy America’s own national treasure: jazz!

Admission: general $8, students and seniors $6, Footlik Theater, Des Plaines campus

OMG IMPROV
Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Get ready to split your sides with laughter as Oakton’s student improvisation group takes the stage. Frequent performers at popular Chicago comedy venues, OMG Improv invites the audience to join the fun by suggesting the unique situations that the players will explore.

Admission: general $10, students and seniors $6, Studio One Theater, Des Plaines campus

String Ensemble: Winter Dreams
Dec. 7 at 8 p.m
The Oakton String Ensemble, directed by Daniel Golden, will perform beloved works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Bela Bartok and Samuel Barber at the annual December concert. The program will also feature spirited renditions of holiday classics played by the twenty-piece group.

Admission: general $8, students and seniors $6, Footlik Theater, Des Plaines campus

Speaker Showcase
Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
Don’t miss some of Oakton’s most talented speech students as they present some of the finest presentations from the semester’s public speaking classes. Join Showcase director Bob Gynn as he puts forward student speakers who will both entertain and enlighten audience members on topics ranging from educational to inspirational to comical.

Free admission, Footlik Theater, Des Plaines campus

Guitar Ensemble
Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.
Join the Oakton Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of Tom Clippert, for a musical journey celebrating the vast world of possibilities on the guitar. You will hear cornerstones of the classical repertoire alongside original compositions and arrangements by the ensemble's members. Jazz and rock essentials, along with sounds from around the world, will round out the sounds of your evening.

Admission: general admission $8, students and seniors $6, Footlik Theater, Des Plaines campus

Don’t wait, get your ticket today! Tickets are available for purchase by calling 847.635.1900 or via the Box Office page on Oakton’s website.