The Gallery series of the University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts will present The Stellification, a student production written by Bella Poynton and directed by Janet Schlapkohl, at 8 p.m., Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 18–20, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21, in Theatre B of the UI Theatre Building.

The Stellification brings science fiction to the stage in a spiral-swirl of talking stars, black holes, and a woman destined to meet the cosmos. Former astronaut Rose Bergen wants nothing more than to visit the stars. Since the cancellation of NASA’s space shuttle program, however, she’s become stranded in a broken life on Earth. Her marriage is falling apart, her unborn child may be some kind of weird space-star baby, and the giant star Betelgeuse is about to supernova.

But the world is about to change. Feeling abandoned by the people of Earth, the stars have decided to go on strike, and they’ve chosen Rose as their ambassador. Now it’s up to Rose to keep the stars shining and save the world from eternal darkness.

Admission is free for UI students with a valid UI ID and $5 for general audiences.

The Department of Theatre Arts is a unit of the Division of Performing Arts in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For accommodations at the event, contact the department at 319-335-2700. For a UI arts calendar and details about upcoming events, visit the new Arts Iowa website.