Location: Welsbacher Black Box Theatre
Date: September 17-19th, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
Guest Director: Jane Gabbert
Description:
DINNERTIME: A Play in Seven Courses, is about a woman who invites a man over to her house, ostensibly for a simple dinner
date. The night takes a turn for the strange when she reveals her carnivorous intent
and veers into pure absurdity when he decides to stay. Over seven courses, all with
their own unique culinary constituents, the two deliberate over several philosophies:
the tenets of truth and beauty, what should and should not be edible, and the undeniable
pull of carnal desire. The play culminates in the ultimate act of sin and sacrifice.
Rated: PG
Tickets: $17 general seating
Headshots and Bios
Creative Team
Jane Gabbert (Director) received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Theatre from Wichita
State University, then went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University.
She studied with the beloved Dr. Richard Welsbacher, Mary Jane Teall, Joyce Cavarozzi,
Audrey Needles, and Bela Kiralyfalvi. She also is an acting student of New York City
acting teacher Charlie Kakatsakis. Gabbert’s film credits include Sully, w/Tom Hanks & Dir. Clint Eastwood, 10 episodes as “Dave’s Nurse” on Late Night w/David Letterman, Search Party (5 seasons MAX), Jack Ryan, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Daily Show, Indies - Closer to Home, ABC’s Unspeakable Acts w/Bebe Neuwirth, and Daytime – All My Children & Loving. Off-Broadway credits include Mama & Baby w/June Squibb (Women’s Interart Theatre), MAX w/Barney Martin (South St. Theatre). Apollo from Bellac (Public Theatre), Giggle & Scream (Circle Rep Lab), A Late Snow (Houseman Theatre), Honor Bright (McGinn-Cazale Theatre), Big, Fat & Ugly (Perry St. Theatre), and Love Song for Chairman Mao (Triangle Theatre). Sketch comedy on The Daily Show and 2 episodes for The Chair Company (HBO Max) with Tim Robinson and will be shooting the second season this fall. Some
of Gabbert’s regional theatre credits include Milwaukee Repertory, Asolo & Geva theatres,
Penn Stage Co., Monomoy Summer Theatre. She was also a Guest Artist in residence at
Cornell University, Case Western Reserve. Mid-Pac Institute, Honolulu, HI.
Anna Halza (Playwright) is a fourth-year student at Oklahoma University and will graduate in Spring 2027
with a BFA in Drama and a BA in Professional Writing. She is the co-writer of two
devised works with Co.Arts Theater Co., titled How To Smoke Three Cigarettes At Once and This City Will Eat You Alive, the latter of which she is also starring in. She is the recipient of the 2024 UReCA
Grant, which supported the development of her short play, Another Beginning. Some of her favorite acting credits include: Susan, The Secretaries (2025 UReCA), Sarah, Camp Contrition (SHEDFW), and Phyllis, Body Awareness (OU Student Theater Council). From Anna’s website, she writes, “As an artist, I am
deeply dedicated to creating visceral, exciting experiences for new audiences. My
work is boldly unapologetic- as is my dedication to bringing art to nontraditional
spaces.” Check out more about her at annahalza.com.
Cast
Pashence Adkins (Her Understudy) is a Junior in the theater BA program at WSU who just finished up their internship
at the New London Barn Playhouse. They are thrilled to be given the opportunity to
work with Jane Gabbert as the understudy for HER in this first production of Dinnertime.
Jordan Bodenhamer (Him Understudy)
Colton Farmer (Him) is thrilled to be returning to the Wichita State University Stage! Previous university
credits include Time Stands Still, Twelfth Night, and Now We Are a Hundred. Colton is a third-year student pursuing a BFA in Performing Arts with an emphasis
in Acting. He gives thanks to the cast and crew of this production, to the one and
only Jane Gabbert, to the brilliant Anna Halza, and to his loved ones for their constant
support. Enjoy the show! @coltonjnorris
Peyton Grace Henderson (Her) is thrilled to be part of this project! Born and raised in the Wichita area, she
is a second-year student at Wichita State University pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts
in Performing Arts - Acting, a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Vocal emphasis, and
a minor in Dance. Some of her previous credits include SIX: Teen Edition (Jane Seymour), Moon Over Buffalo (Charlotte Hay), Hello, Dolly! (Minnie Fay), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti). Peyton Grace was also recently nominated for an Irene Ryan Acting
Award through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5 for her
performance as Mandy Bloom in Time Stands Still.
Peyton Grace’s goal as an artist is to embrace every opportunity to grow, create,
and authentically share her voice. Inspired by one of her idols, Dolly Parton, she
strives to “find out who you are and do it on purpose.” She is endlessly grateful
for the love and support from her friends and family, and deeply thankful for the
community the School of Performing Arts has given her. Most importantly, she is proudest
of her title as “T” (auntie). T loves y’all so much—and sincerely hopes you’re not
at this production because of the content and it’s past your bedtime.
You can follow Peyton Grace’s artistic journey through her Instagram @peyton.grace.henderson
Grace Ryan (Narrator) is very excited to be working on Wichita State's production of DINNERTIME. She is
a third-year musical theater and music education student. She has worked as a music
director on Spongebob the Musical Jr. (Lafayette Arts Hub), Ride The Cyclone (WSMTC), The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (WSMTC), and more. Grace also serves as the company manager for the Wichita State
Performing Arts Company and is a member of WSMTC. She believes in accessible and well-rounded
performing arts educations for all students.
