“It's a great mix of shows in terms of the tone,” Berglund said. “Some are very funny. Some are darkly funny. ‘Marvin’s Room’ is a very interesting show dealing with family dynamics in the face of death, even though there are some funny things in it. I think it’s a great mix this year.”

One of the shows, "Mother Hicks,” is a play directed by Nancy Eddy, associate professor of Communications at CMU. The story features aspects of the deaf community, as the plot follows a boy who communicates by using ASL.

University Theatre 2015-2016 Season:

“One Slight Hitch” - a comedy
7:30 p.m. Sept. 9-12 and 2 p.m. Sept. 13
Bush Theatre

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” - a comedy
7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-10, 15-17 and 2 p.m. Oct. 11 and 18
Theatre-on-the-Side

“Oklahoma!” - a musical
7:30 p.m. Nov. 11-14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15
Bush Theatre

“Mother Hicks” – a play
7:30 p.m. Feb. 10-12 and 2 p.m. Feb. 13-14
Bush Theatre

“Marvin's Room” – a play
7:30 p.m. March 31, April 1-2, 7-9 and 2 p.m. April 3 and 10
Theatre-on-the-Side

University Theatre Dance Company Concert
7:30 p.m. April 21-23 and 2 p.m. April 24
Bush Theatre

Although Eddy has experience with ASL, she is hoping to team up with other departments on campus to assist her with the show.

“We are in negotiation with faculty, but nothing is planned yet,” Eddy said. “We are bound by law that when someone requests an ASL show we have to do a performance. So we have done several throughout the years.”

Although no one requested the show, Eddy said that University Theatre wanted to put on "Mother Hicks" for the themes present.

Sterling Heights senior Allie Jackson is looking forward to auditioning this season due to a larger variety of roles offered in the shows.

“We are a more female-heavy department, which will provide nice opportunities,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the advice she would give to any underclassmen, or anyone who wants to get involved with the theater department, is to simply audition for everything.

“Get involved, sit in the green room,” Jackson said. “Alpha Psi Omega, that’s our theatre honorary fraternity, come to those meetings. Just be involved, and really get to know people.”

Wyatt Richardson, senior musical theater major, said he is excited for the season because it is a contrast to what the theater season usually features.

“I think it is really cool that we are kind of switching it up a little this season,” said the Hillman native. “Especially since in the spring there is going to be a show that features sign language, and it will be really cool to have other students in other areas to get involved.”

Richardson spends half of his time in the theater department working in the costume department, in addition to being on stage.

“Even if you don’t get into the performance aspect right away, getting into tech is a great way to get involved,” Richardson said.

Tickets for all shows can be purchased through cmich.edu/ticketcentral or by calling 989-774-3045. Remaining tickets are available for purchase at the door one hour before each performance. Prices run from $7 to $12.