The University of Iowa Theatre Building will be closed for the summer as it undergoes major renovations.

The building will close after finals on Friday, May 16, and will remain closed until before the start of classes in August, when it will open for the fall semester. Renovations will include the basement (damaged by the flood of 2008), the installation of a new patio leading from the front doors to the river walk, and flood mitigation that includes moving to the roof all power to the building, the heating and air conditioning system, and all the wiring for electricity, technology, video, and phones.

While the building is closed, the Department of Theatre Arts will continue its tradition of Iowa Summer Rep with a touring production of Respect: A Musical Journey of Women. This new musical, written and created by Dorothy Marcic, tells the journey of women using Top 40 songs such as “Someone to Watch Over Me” to “I Will Survive.”

Marcic combines excerpts of more than 60 songs with women’s stories about finding dreams, lost love, relationship issues, entering the workforce, gaining independence, and more. From the codependence of “I Will Follow Him” and the anger of “These Boots Are Made for Walking” to the cynicism of “What's Love Got to Do With It” and the strength of “Hero,” this show is provides must-see and must-hear moments.

Tour dates and locations are being confirmed throughout the state of Iowa at this time, and will be announced soon.

The Department of Theatre Arts can be reached via email this summer at theatre@uiowa.edu or via phone at 319-335-2700. Additional information regarding the reopening of the building this fall will be shared at theatre.uiowa.edu as it becomes available.