The Black Box Theatre
MCC students explore the world of the theatre through courses on acting, character analysis, scene preparation, theatre design, scene construction, costuming, and lighting and you are able to enjoy fabulous entertainment as a result!
Black Box Theatre 12-Hour Play Competition, May 3
Sign Up Deadline: April 27
The popular Black Box Theatre 12-Hour Play Competition is back at MCC this spring. The Competition challenges groups of 2-6 people to write, rehearse, and perform a ten-minute play within 12 hours. Groups will arrive at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, and work through the day until performances begin at 7 p.m. that evening.
There is a cash prize awarded for the winning play. Food and beverages will be provided throughout the day. There is a $25 entry fee per group. Be prepared to stay all day. The competition is open to the public.
Interested groups can sign up here through April 27 »
The competition will be held at The Black Box Theatre at MCC. Park in Parking Lot C and enter Building E.
For more information, email jgeller@mchenry.edu or call (815) 455-8746.
Auditions
The Black Box Theatre at MCC is proud to announce auditions for Arsenic and Old Lace, the classic black comedy by Joseph Kesselring! Auditions will be held in The Black Box Theatre from 6–9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26, with callbacks held on Thursday, August 28, from 6–10 p.m.
Participants are asked to prepare a 2–3 minute comedic monologue.
The play is open to MCC students and community members of all backgrounds and experience levels. All roles are open. We encourage actors of all ethnicities, genders, and body types to audition.
Rehearsals will be held beginning September 3, 2025, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, from 6 – 9:30 p.m. The production will start October 31 and run three weekends in November: November 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16.
Arsenic and Old Lace — Fall 2025
Performances
Arsenic and Old Lace opens on October 31 and runs on November 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16.
Evening performances are at 7 p.m., and Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.
Reservations
Tickets are $15 for students, MCC employees, seniors, veterans, and MCC alumni and $20 for the general public.
Call (815) 455-8746 or email jgeller@mchenry.edu to reserve seats! Tickets can be paid for at the door by cash or credit card.
The Black Box Theatre is located in Building E. Please park in Lot C and enter Building E; the theatre is directly to the right.
Select a poster and check out our past productions!
