Madison College Performing Arts debuts “Midwestern Goodbyes” Feb. 20-March 1

Madison College Performing Arts presents the world premiere of “Midwestern Goodbyes” by alumni playwright Charly Sparks in the Studio Theater at Truax campus, Feb. 20-March 1. 

“Midwestern Goodbyes” centers on Sloane, a young woman with a punk rock attitude, who attends a solemn party organized by her born-again Christian mother. The twist? The “party” is Sloane’s own funeral.

Despite the sad plot, the Wisconsin-based play is a comedy that explores grief, identity and the complicated ways people say goodbye. Sloane and her mother, Lois, are complete opposites. Sloane’s outgoing best friend, Bennett, and her introverted boyfriend, Max, are left to navigate a funeral that says nothing about who Sloane really was. 

Sparks developed the play when she was in the Madison College Honors Program two years ago, and submitted the play for production and development opportunities. Madison College instructor, director and playwright Karen Saari served as Sparks’ Honors Program mentor throughout the writing and development process.

“Midwestern Goodbyes” won Theatre du Mississippi’s playwriting competition in 2024. This earned the play a developmental production in Winona, Minnesota, in spring 2025. 

The four-person cast features Madison College students Raven Jensen as Sloane, Trey Danis III as Bennett, Broc Kelly as Max, and local actor Sara Beth Hahner as Lois. Madison College students and alumni also fill key production roles. Lighting design is by former student and current theater professional Carson Heussner. Costumes are designed by Chelsea Drucker, a former Madison College student now attending UW-Madison for costume design. 

“Midwestern Goodbyes” is part of World Premiere Wisconsin 2026, a statewide initiative establishing Wisconsin as an incubator of new theatrical works.   

Performances run Feb. 20-March 1 (Fridays 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.) in the Studio Theater, located in Madison College Truax campus main building, 1701 Wright St.

Tickets are $16 general admission, with $13 tickets for youth and seniors. All performances are free to Madison College students with their OneCard.  

Go to madisoncollege.edu/performing-arts and scroll down to the “Get Tickets now” link.