Messiah on the Frigidaire
By John Culbertson
Directed by Dr. Brian Cheslik
March 21-29, 2025 | Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd # 122, Austin, TX 78702
The small town of Elroy, South Carolina is thrust into the evangelical spotlight when what seems to be the image of Jesus appears on a refrigerator in a trailer park. The discovery by Lou Ann Hightower, her husband Dwayne, and her best friend Betsy, sets into motion a frenzy of conflict, communion and good old fashioned commerce. When the National Investigator turns the appearance into front-page headlines, their trailer park becomes a Mecca for miracle seekers, soul searchers and disciples with a decidedly political agenda. At the urging of the towns business leaders, Betsy pretends to get messages from the appliance-based apparition, and the crowds multiply like loaves and fishes. Through the ordeal, the three undergo an evolution in their relationships with each other, and they are forced to come to grips with their lowly status in the caste system of the rural south. In a region where religion is as much a part of life as grits and cotton fields, God surely moves in mysterious ways.
Performances
Friday, March 21st at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 22nd at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 23rd at 2:30pm
Thursday, March 27th at 7:30pm
Friday, March 28th at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 29th at 2:30pm
Streaming Performance
Saturday, April 19th at 7:30pm CT
Summer 2025
A Strange Loop
Written by Michael R. Jackson
Co-Produced with Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA)
Directed by Alexandria Wailes
Associate direction by Stanley Bahorek
July 23 – September 14, 2025 | Washington, DC & Austin, TX
Meet Usher: a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer writing a musical about a Black, queer writer.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning, blisteringly funny masterwork exposes the heart and soul of a young artist grappling with desires, identity and instincts he both loves and loathes. Hell-bent on breaking free of his own self-perception, Usher wrestles with the thoughts in his head, brought to life on stage by a hilarious, straight-shooting ensemble. Bold and heartfelt in its truth-telling, A Strange Loop is the big, Black and queer-ass Great American Musical for all!
DC Performance Dates: July 23rd through August 16th
Austin Performance Dates: August 29th through September 14th
Chronicles of a Black DeafBlind Girl
Written and performed by Ashlea Hayes
October 10-18, 2025 | Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd # 122, Austin, TX 78702
Ghari is a 30-something year old woman whose life has just begun. Everything is new. She’s moved to a new city, learned a new language, started a new career, and is newly single. Join Ghari as she navigates her “new normal” and tackles the dating world…while DeafBlind…and Black.
On-Demand Streaming until June 9th at 11:59pm
Directed by TBA
Choregraphy by Joey Antonio
Performances
Friday, OCtober 10th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 11th at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 12th at 2:30pm
Thursday, October 16th at 7:30pm
Friday, October 17th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 18th at 2:30pm
November 2025
Rabbit Hole
Written by David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Dr. Brian Cheslik
November 14-22, 2025 | Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale Rd # 122, Austin, TX 78702
Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. RABBIT HOLE charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.
Performances
Friday, November 14th at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 15th at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 16th at 2:30pm
Thursday, November 20th at 7:30pm
Friday, November 21st at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 22nd at 2:30pm
Streaming Performance
Saturday, December 13th at 7:30pm CT