Beyond Entertainment: When theatre makes you think

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Beyond Entertainment: When Theatre Makes You Think is a staged reading event designed to engage your heart and your mind in equal measure. These stories aren’t here to tell you what to think—they’re here to ask why. Join us for an evening that proves theatre still matters, especially now. 

Tickets: 

$25 Single Performance

$50 All Three Shows (save $25!)*

*To receive discount, add all three shows to your cart. Enter promo code THINK.

Service fees apply to all online orders.

Ticket price includes unlimited free coffee and dessert afterwards during the post-show discussion.

The Nether by Jennifer Haley

The Nether is a thought-provoking sci-fi crime drama set in the near future where the internet has evolved into fully immersive virtual realities that allow people to live out any desire. When a detective named Morris investigates a hidden realm called The Hideaway—a beautifully rendered virtual Victorian world where adult users interact with child-like avatars—she brings in its creator, Sims, for questioning about crimes that blur fantasy and reality. As the interrogation unfolds, the play raises urgent ethical questions about imagination, identity, and the consequences of indulging in harmful impulses in digital spaces. Characters struggle with the psychological and moral implications of their virtual lives, and the line between real and simulated experience becomes increasingly ambiguous. Through this gripping narrative, The Nether forces audiences to confront how technology might reshape law, desire, and our understanding of what counts as harm.

The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman

The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman is a powerful drama about rumor, morality, and the devastating consequences of a lie. Set at a girls’ boarding school, the play follows teachers Karen Wright and Martha Dobie after a malicious student spreads a false accusation about their relationship. As the rumor takes hold, parents withdraw their children, careers unravel, and the women’s once-stable lives collapse under public judgment. The accusation exposes the rigid social norms of the time and the ease with which fear and prejudice can destroy reputations. As pressure mounts, the emotional toll forces the characters to confront painful truths about themselves and their society. Hellman’s play remains a searing examination of how unchecked gossip and intolerance can cause irreparable harm.

Third Show - To be announced soon!

All performances and post-show discussions will take place at Bear Theatre. Our address is:

302 Campbell Ave. SE

Roanoke, VA 24013