The MSU Friends of Theatre and MSU Department of Theatre are pleased to announce the next free “Behind the Scenes” season of classes exploring the inner workings of select 2025-2026 MSU student productions. Please join us with our next class of the season.

Jane Austen’s Persuasion

Adapted for the stage by Melissa Leilani Larson

April 14-21

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! “BEHIND THE SCENES” classes are composed of two discussion sessions separated by a one-week opportunity to attend a performance of the MSU student productions under discussion

Persuasion

SESSION ONE: The initial class will focus on the structure of the play and the MSU production. Speakers include Melissa Leilani Larson (playwright) and Daniel T. Smith (director). This session will be held at The Peoples Church, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 3 to 5 pm.

THE PLAY: Class participants will have a one-week opportunity to attend the play at MSU’s Pasant Theatre on a day and at a time of their choosing. The play runs from April 14-19. Parking is available in the Wharton Center parking structure or in the Shaw Lane parking ramp.

SESSION TWO: After the play closes, a second discussion-style session will be held at The Peoples Church, on Tuesday, April 21, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. This class will be led by actors and designers from the production. This always promises to be a lively discussion.

When: Tuesday, April 14, 3-5 pm and Tuesday, April 21, 3-5 pm

Where: The Peoples Church is at 200 Grand River Ave, East Lansing. Classes are in the Robertson Room. Free parking, including handicap spaces, is available on the west side of the church. The Church is handicapped accessible.

Cost: The classes are FREE. To purchase tickets to the plays, call the WHARTON CENTER Ticket Office at (517) 432-2000 or toll-free at 1-800-WHARTON. The cheapest way to purchase tickets is to go to Wharton Center in person.

Registration: Although classes are free, please submit this REGISTRATION FORM to secure a spot. If you have any questions, please contact Kath Clark at the MSU Department of Theatre, clarkk98@msu.edu or (517) 884-7796. Seating is limited.

Production Description for Persuasion:

Persuaded in her youth to reject young Frederick Wentworth’s marriage proposal, Anne Elliot has not yet found a more suitable match. As the only truly sensible member of her family, Anne shepherds her father and sisters through financial difficulties and medical concerns, amid much letter writing and secret sharing. When Frederick returns as Captain Wentworth after achieving maritime success, he and Anne may have a second chance at love, but will they take the leap? Based on Jane Austen’s last completed novel, this adaptation, by Melissa Leilani Larson, features Austen’s signature wit and charm as it reflects on matters of love, memory and maturity.

Meet the Playwright: Melissa Leilani Larson

Melissa Leilani Larson (she/her) is a mixed race Filipino writer based in Salt Lake City. Her newest play, A FORM OF FLATTERY, is an honorable mention finalist for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival and a finalist for Portland Center Stage’s JAW festival. In October, it was received a staged reading at InHouse Theatre in Los Angeles. Mel holds a BA in English from BYU and an MFA from the Iowa Playwrights Workshop. She is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, and served the Utah region for several years as Ambassador and then as Regional Rep. She was a 2018 Art Access Mentor. She is a member of Plan-B Theatre’s Lab for new plays, the Playwrights Center of Minneapolis, and Honor Roll!, an advocacy group for female-identifying playwrights over 40.

Meet the Director: Daniel T. Smith

Daniel T. Smith is a dramaturg, translator, director and theatre historian with research interest in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century French theatre, history of sexuality and translation studies. After studying French Literature at the University of Notre Dame, Dan earned degrees in Theatre from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (MFA) and Northwestern University (PhD). He has worked extensively as a professional dramaturg and director at numerous Chicago theatres. His translations for the stage include Don Juan by Moliere and Dangerous Liaison by Madame Beaunoir, among others. He has published numerous articles, translations and reviews in professional journals.

But Dan is more than a theatre professional. His broad scope of knowledge led him to being a three-time “Jeopardy” champion, with his episodes airing in 2009.

Class Organizers: Joan Mattson, Carol Bryson, Jeanie Croope, and Sam Austin. Faculty Liaisons: Rob Roznowski and Kirk Domer.

These sessions will conclude the 2025-2026 Behind the Scenes series. Details and registration for the 2026-2027 Season will be announced at a future date.