UCO Theatre Arts Presents ‘Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play,’ Feb. 5-8
Jan. 21, 2026
The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Theatre Arts will open its spring 2026 mainstage season with Anne Washburn’s darkly imaginative comedy “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.” Performances will be at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 5–7, and 2 p.m., Feb. 8, in Mitchell Hall Theatre, located on Central's campus.
Set in a world without electricity, the play follows a group of survivors as they piece together memories of a familiar television episode in the immediate aftermath of a global catastrophe. Spanning several decades, the story traces how those fragments evolve over time, ultimately becoming a ritualized theatrical event that reflects how culture is both reshaped and preserved in the absence of modern technology.
The production is directed by Kesley Fisher-Waits, M.F.A., adjunct instructor of performance in the UCO Department of Theatre Arts.
“’Mr. Burns’ begins with a group of people sitting around a fire, sharing stories,” Fisher-Waits said.
“That simple act lives at the core of theatre-making—telling stories to relate, to educate, to entertain and to understand one another. At its heart, this play reminds us that we are resilient when we come together as a community, honoring both our unique perspectives and our shared experiences. Art sustains us, survives us, and, hopefully, brings people together again and again. That’s what ‘Mr. Burns’ is all about, and, of course, ‘The Simpsons,’ too.”
The production is recommended for ages 13 and older due to adult themes, occasional strong language, references to violence and moments of tension related to its post-apocalyptic setting.
Tickets range from $10 to $25 and are free for UCO students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online at BronchoArts.com or by calling the ticket office at 405-974-3375.
For a complete list of UCO College of Fine Arts and Design events and performances, visit www.uco.edu/cfad.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Theatre Arts will open its spring 2026 mainstage season with Anne Washburn’s darkly imaginative comedy “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play.” Performances will be at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 5–7, and 2 p.m., Feb. 8, in Mitchell Hall Theatre, located on Central's campus. Tickets range from $10 to $25 and are free for UCO students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online at BronchoArts.com or by calling the ticket office at 405-974-3375. Pictured, left to right, Gia Brown, a senior theatre performance major from Mustang, Oklahoma; Layne DeTello, a sophomore theatre performance major from McAlester, Oklahoma; Jett King, a senior theatre performance major from Mustang, Oklahoma; and, Liberty Welch, a junior theatre performance major from Oklahoma City.
