IU Northwest Celebrates America's 250th With Free Musical

A free musical celebration is coming to Indiana University Northwest this September, and it's bringing students and neighbors together to honor America's 250th birthday through song.

American Revue: A Celebration of the American Musical takes audiences on a journey through 20th century America with songs from beloved shows like Oklahoma, West Side Story, and Cabaret. The free performances happen September 18 and 19 on campus.

Erin McHugh, IU Northwest's director of arts programming, partnered with McKenya Dilworth Smith from Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse to make the ambitious production happen. When Smith pitched the idea of showcasing musicals by American composers, McHugh knew it was the perfect way to mark the historic milestone.

"This production is a sampling of musical theater, featuring American composers who were all moved by different stages in America's story," McHugh said. The script weaves together songs that capture different phases of the nation's journey, including struggles with equality and hopes for the future.

The cast is wonderfully diverse. Some performers are IU Northwest students and recent graduates, while others are community members passionate about singing and acting. Students also work behind the scenes as lighting designers, sound engineers, and stage managers.

Jennifer Hayden, a junior business major serving as stage manager, has been doing technical theater since 2015. "The best part of working in theatre is the teamwork and collaboration from so many different art mediums and backgrounds to make a cohesive piece," she said.

The Ripple Effect

This production shows what's possible when organizations unite for the arts. McHugh and Smith are modeling the very unity their show celebrates, proving that collaboration between campus and community creates something special.

Smith hopes audiences leave feeling connected to each other. "No matter the struggle, circumstance or situation, we will survive once we realize that we are all in the same boat," she said. "We, as the people, can change our course for the better, to achieve a better union for all to thrive."

The Morning Bishop Theatre Playhouse mission focuses on using art's transformative power to bring people together. Smith believes theaters become spaces where people feel comfortable becoming their best selves and sharing stories that reflect collective experiences.

Hayden hopes the production leaves audiences feeling "hopeful and revitalized for our country, that our country is worth celebrating."