Season

The Catastrophic Theatre proudly announces its 2026-2027 season

Absurdism! High camp experimental dance theatre! A technical rehearsal? And Houston, we have a Tamarie!

RHINOCEROS
by Eugene Ionesco

Directed by Tamarie Cooper

A rhinoceros gallops and trumpets through a sleepy town, trampling all in its path as it goes. Soon there’s another, then another and another until it comes clear that the general population is opting out of humanity, to “move with the times.” A subversive comedy filled with biting wit and nightmarish anxiety, absurdist master Eugene Ionesco wrote Rhinoceros in reaction to the fascism, conformity, and senseless violence that surrounded him during WWII. Starring George Parker and Kyle Sturdivant, revisiting their roles from 2017’s smash-hit production. Directed by Tamarie Cooper.

September 18 – October 10

MURDER MURDER KILL KILL KILL
by Brian Jucha & the Catastrophic ensemble

Directed and choreographed by Brian Jucha

(World Premiere)

Brian Jucha is not only Houston’s reigning champ of ensemble-based, experimental dance-theatre. If you’ve seen his work, you know he is also a master of high camp and that his performances are littered with found text and unlikely pop culture references, all in service of a disarmingly moving hall of mirrors. This year he’s taking on Paris’ Grand Guignol, the theatre of fear and horror, to ask the question: “Is there really a serial killer in Houston or are these people just seeing things? And also, what is up with all these bayous?” Directed and choreographed by Brian Jucha. (World premiere.)

February 12 – March 6

10 OUT OF 12
by Anne Washburn

Directed by Jason Nodler

10 out of 12 is an immersive, meta-theatrical, inside-the-scenes peek at those grueling 12-hour tech rehearsals, those studies in human behavior, which lead up to opening night. Audiences will be given earpieces to eavesdrop on coms and private conversations as theatre artists come and go from the seats around them. Tensions run high, there is an injury, a breakdown, a mutiny. Why would anyone sign up for this again and again? By the end of this surprisingly warm, surprisingly funny play-before-a-play by Anne Washburn (Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play), you just might find your answer. Directed by Jason Nodler.

April 2 – April 17

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A TAMARIE
by Tamarie Cooper and Patrick Reynolds

Directed and choreographed by Tamarie Cooper

(World Premiere)

What to say about Tamarie that she hasn’t already said herself? In most ways, she’s like anyone. She’s made mistakes, has regrets, told some lies… like running for president or graduating college. She’s had you into her home for holidays, pandemics, and birthday parties. She even went and messed with Texas. What’s left to sing and dance about? Only the best city in the world! That’s right, this year’s Tamarie’s going local. Expect tap dancing tacos, outer-space hijinks, ongoing rivalries with our ugly stepbrothers Austin and Dallas, and a hot, sweaty, no-zoned, unhinged, out-of-this-world examination of H-Town and what makes it so dang special. Directed and choreographed by Tamarie Cooper. (World premiere.)