Buena Vista University will host its first live theatrical production in four years during the 2025-26 school year. The play, “The Play That Went Wrong,” will be produced and performed by BVU staff, students, and alumni.

The production is a slapstick comedy in which a stage play falls apart as everything that can go wrong does. Dalton Walker, a classroom & event support coordinator at BVU and the show’s producer, described the play as fast-paced and physical.

“It’s a slapstick comedy. It’s hilarious,” Walker said.

While the cast and crew have been preparing for months, the production has faced several challenges, primarily involving the set. Walker said costumes, makeup, and rehearsals are complete, but construction delays have prevented the show from moving forward.

“We’re basically memorized. We have costumes and makeup ready to go,” Walker said. “The only thing holding us back is the set.”

Angel Larsen, a junior social work major, served as the director and an actor in the production and played a key role in reviving theater on campus. Larsen said the idea for the play began after she became drama club president in spring 2025.

“I was elected drama club president in spring of 2025 and had always wanted our club to put on a play,” Larsen said. “I made the executive decision that we would be bringing theater back to BVU. Then I obtained funding from student funding to get everything kick-started.”

According to Walker, limited funding has made it difficult to complete the set. He said several potential donations fell through after initial commitments.

“Right at the beginning of the semester, an alum said, ‘I can’t send the money, but I can send lumber,’” Walker said. “That would’ve been awesome, but complications with the donation made him pull out.”

Walker said similar situations occurred multiple times during the semester.

The cast and crew have been working on the production since August and are nearing completion. Walker said the remaining materials needed to finish the set would cost approximately $1,000.

With the set still unfinished, the performance has been pushed back to next semester. Walker said the delay is intended to allow time for additional fundraising and construction.

“We pushed it back… because our set is not built yet and because we are still looking for funding,” Walker said.

Walker said the production is particularly meaningful to him, noting that his parents were the last theater professors at BVU to produce a play on campus.

“My parents worked here as the theater professors, so theater is kind of in my blood,” Walker said.

Both Walker and Larsen said they hope the production will mark the return of regular theater performances at BVU.

“After our performance, I’m hoping that we can obtain more funding to put on another show next school year,” Larsen said.

Walker said future productions will depend on the success of the current show.

“If this show is awesome,” Walker said, “maybe we do another show.”