2026-2027 Season, Waco Civic Theatre, by Alyssa Riggs, KWTX, April 24, 2026
Alyssa Riggs, April 24, 2026
WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Waco Civic Theatre is lifting the curtain on its newly announced season, featuring a lineup that ranges from the acclaimed musical Come From Away to classic favorites like Annie and A Chorus Line.
Executive Director Kelly MacGregor says the season came together after the theatre set its sights on producing Come From Away, a show she calls especially timely as the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches in 2026. From there, MacGregor says additional titles began to fall into place, with several of the productions sharing a New York setting or connection.
“We started pulling shows that we really wanted to do,” MacGregor said, adding the team focused on selecting “wonderful stories that Central Texas would really enjoy.”
Season lineup:
She describes Wait Until Dark as a suspenseful, “spooky and incredible” play centered on a blind woman confronting a villain inside her home. Annie is expected to be a major holiday draw, with the theatre hoping to run as many performances as possible.
McGregor says excitement is already building around The Producers, with strong interest from people eager to audition. Barefoot in the Park, a Neil Simon comedy set in a small New York City apartment, brings what she calls a mix of humor and heart. The season ends with A Chorus Line, which McGregor says offers audiences a glimpse “on the other side of the curtain” at performers competing for a job—and the personal stories behind the identical costumes and choreography.
McGregor says the overarching theme of the season is “a new dawn,” with stories that highlight hope, connection, and resilience.
She points to Come From Away, based on true stories from the days after 9/11, when flights were rerouted, and passengers were taken in by a small Canadian town, as a show that can “restore your faith in humanity.” McGregor, who is Canadian, says the story is a source of pride and a reminder of what’s possible when communities step up for one another.
She says that same spirit runs through the season, from Annie finding family after being abandoned, to A Chorus Line revealing the individuality and struggles of each performer.
McGregor also emphasized the value of live theatre at a time when many people are talking about artificial intelligence and technology. She says there are elements of being together in-person, sharing a story in real time, that technology can’t replace.
McGregor says Waco Civic Theatre recently rolled out new audition and volunteer software called Cast98. People can create a profile as an actor or volunteer, including those interested in behind-the-scenes work, and select which shows they’re interested in. Audition information will be posted there, along with updates on the theatre’s social media.
For newcomers, McGregor says the theatre’s historic building and intimate layout create a unique experience—one where audiences and volunteers feel like they’re building something together, “like an old-fashioned barn raising.”
McGregor also confirmed the theatre is preparing for even bigger titles in a future season, saying the organization has been offered rights to Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera and plans to stage them as full productions “with full spectacle.” More details are expected later.
For more information on the newly announced season, click here.
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