UA Theater and Dance to stage 'A Doll's House, Part Two' with new twists

The production will feature a contemporary take on the classic characters and themes.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 7:55pm

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The University of Alabama Department of Theater and Dance will stage the Broadway play 'A Doll's House, Part Two' from February 23 to March 1. Directed by second-year MFA student Natasha Straley, the production will star MFA student Hannah Bradley as Nora Helmer, 15 years after the events of Ibsen's original play. Straley's vision combines live performance with technology, including a QR code-based quiz for the audience to match themselves with the play's characters.

Why it matters

The play explores complex feminist themes and the pressures on women to be 'perfect,' while also aiming to be an enjoyable, visually stunning, and uplifting experience for the audience. The production's unique take on the classic characters and setting is part of the theater department's efforts to tell stories in fresh and engaging ways.

The details

Inspired by Ibsen's 1879 play 'A Doll's House,' the performance will feature a contemporary interpretation of the original characters and themes. Straley initially planned to produce an adaptation of Ibsen's classic, but was immediately drawn to the 'contemporary language and feel' of Lucas Hnath's 2017 Broadway sequel. The production will incorporate new projections, lighting effects, and a QR code-based quiz for the audience to match themselves with the play's characters. The costume and set design teams have also put a unique twist on the visuals, aiming for a more 1980s aesthetic than the original 1880s setting.

  • The play will run from February 23 to March 1, 2026.
  • Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. from February 23 to 28, and at 2 p.m. on March 1.

The players

Natasha Straley

A second-year MFA student at the University of Alabama, Straley is the director of the production. She combined her expertise in indie filmmaking and live performance to create a unique vision for the play.

Hannah Bradley

An MFA student at the University of Alabama, Bradley will star as the lead character, Nora Helmer, in the production.

Ella Brandenberg

The marketing manager for the University of Alabama Department of Theater and Dance, Brandenberg described the creative team and cast as 'deep into the artistic process.'

Lucas Hnath

The playwright who wrote the 2017 Broadway sequel 'A Doll's House, Part Two,' which the UA production is based on.

Henrik Ibsen

The Norwegian playwright who wrote the original 1879 play 'A Doll's House,' which inspired the sequel being produced at the University of Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“Designs are coming to life, character work is underway, and the production is taking shape with energy and intention. From the visual language of the set and costumes to the nuanced performances of the cast, every element of the production is focused on telling this story with clarity, honesty and heart.”

— Ella Brandenberg, Marketing Manager, University of Alabama Department of Theater and Dance

“I think the flaws of each of these characters is what makes them so beautiful and interesting and human, because nobody's perfect. I think that there's a lot of pressure on women to be perfect, which is also impossible and unattainable.”

— Natasha Straley, Director

“Before the show starts, every audience member should know, 'Okay, that's my character,' and then you're waiting for that person to show up on stage. We're really leaning into the fun part of this.”

— Natasha Straley, Director

“Yes, the feminist issues are certainly underlining the whole story, but ultimately, we want people to leave feeling uplifted and excited about life.”

— Natasha Straley, Director

“Be ready to laugh. Whatever you think you're expecting, it's not like that, and I mean that in the best way.”

— Hannah Bradley, Lead Actress

What’s next

Tickets for 'A Doll's House, Part Two' can be purchased at the University of Alabama ticket office, by phone at 205-348-3400, or online.

The takeaway

The University of Alabama's production of 'A Doll's House, Part Two' promises to be a visually stunning and thought-provoking interpretation of the classic characters and themes, blending live performance with innovative technology to create an engaging and uplifting theatrical experience for the audience.