Simpson College Stages Landmark LGBTQ Play 'The Children's Hour'

Performances of Lillian Hellman's 1934 drama run April 17-19 at the Blank Performing Arts Center.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:00am

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A minimalist poster design in the style of Saul Bass, featuring stark black silhouettes of two female figures standing back-to-back, surrounded by a field of vibrant red and white geometric shapes, conceptually representing the themes of prejudice and tragedy in the play.Simpson College's production of the landmark 1934 LGBTQ drama 'The Children's Hour' explores the devastating impact of prejudice and moral panic.Indianola Today

Simpson Productions is presenting Lillian Hellman's 1934 play 'The Children's Hour,' which examines the destructive impact of a homophobic moral panic in a school for girls run by two unmarried women. Director Kara Raphaeli notes the play is 'one of the first major American plays to unflinchingly depict same-sex attraction' and is still deeply moving 92 years later.

Why it matters

The Children's Hour' is considered a landmark LGBTQ story that was groundbreaking for its time in portraying same-sex relationships on the American stage. The play's themes of prejudice, rumor, and tragedy remain relevant today as society continues to grapple with issues of inclusion and acceptance.

The details

Set in a school for girls run by two unmarried women, the play follows what happens when a malicious student starts a rumor about the two women, leading the community to shun them and resulting in tragedy. Performances will take place April 17-18 at 7:30 PM and April 19 at 2:00 PM in the Blank Performing Arts Center at Simpson College.

  • Performances are scheduled for April 17-18 at 7:30 PM and April 19 at 2:00 PM.
  • The play was originally written and first performed in 1934.

The players

Kara Raphaeli

The director of Simpson Productions' upcoming staging of 'The Children's Hour.'

Lillian Hellman

The playwright who wrote 'The Children's Hour' in 1934, considered one of the first major American plays to depict same-sex relationships.

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What they’re saying

“The Children's Hour is one of the first major American plays to unflinchingly depict same-sex attraction. This landmark LGBTQ story is still deeply moving ninety-two years later.”

— Kara Raphaeli, Director

What’s next

Tickets for the performances of 'The Children's Hour' at Simpson College are on sale now, with prices ranging from $6.50 for group tickets to $10 for adults.

The takeaway

Simpson College's production of the groundbreaking 1934 play 'The Children's Hour' provides an opportunity for the community to engage with an important work of LGBTQ theater history and reflect on the ongoing struggle for acceptance and inclusion.