The Backstage Bulletin: January 2026 Edition

This Month at COS

Take the Stage This Season

The Company OnStage invites actors of all backgrounds and gender expressions to audition for our upcoming productions: Junie B. Jones: Toothless Wonder and Silent Sky. Auditions will be held Sunday & Monday, January 11–12 at 7 p.m. at our theatre (5720 Bellaire Blvd, Suite G).

No appointments or prepared monologues are needed. Please arrive 15 minutes early; headshots/résumés are welcome but not required. Both productions will hold group cold readings, and audition sessions will begin with the Young Audiences production.

Join us for a fun, collaborative evening and help bring these two delightful shows to life!

Full casting details and rehearsal schedules are available on our website.

Learn More

 

January Meeting: Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon

The Company OnStage invites you to join Play Club, a welcoming and engaging way to experience theatre from a new perspective.

Each month, we gather to read a selected play aloud as a group. Participants are welcome to take turns reading roles or simply listen and enjoy the performances. Following the reading, we’ll share first impressions and discuss whether the play might be a good fit for a future Company OnStage production.

Event Details
Play: Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon by Don Zolidis
Date: Sunday, January 11th
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by: Artistic Director Mak Secrest
Admission: Free

What to Bring
Please bring a device (tablet, laptop, or phone) to read from. Scripts will be provided electronically upon arrival.

Join us to discover new stories, connect with fellow theatre lovers, and take part in shaping the future of our stage.

Learn More

 

A Witty Classic Comes to Life on Our Stage!

Get ready for an evening of razor-sharp humor and delightful absurdity as The Importance of Being Earnest takes center stage. Oscar Wilde’s beloved comedy follows two charming gentlemen whose invented alter egos lead to tangled romances, mistaken identities, and nonstop laughs. Packed with clever wordplay, sparkling satire, and unforgettable characters, this timeless farce skewers society’s obsession with appearances while celebrating the ridiculous lengths we’ll go for love.

Under the direction of Sam Martinez, this lively production delivers all the elegance, wit, and laugh-out-loud moments that have made Earnest a favorite for over a century. This show is perfect for date night, a night out with friends, or anyone who loves classic comedy done right.

Performances:
Fridays & Saturdays, January 30, 31, February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday Matinee: February 8 at 2:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this irresistible comedy of manners where being “earnest” has never been so entertaining.

Buy Tickets

 

A Wildly Imaginative Adventure for the Whole Family!

Step into the whimsical world of Lions in Illyria, a playful and inventive retelling of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night with a delightful animal twist. In this magical land, giraffes are perfect gentlemen, aardvarks deal the cards, and a courageous young lioness must rely on her wit and bravery to survive. After a shipwreck separates Violet from her twin brother, she disguises herself and becomes entangled in a hilariously complicated web of mistaken identities, unlikely romances, and animal antics.

Brimming with humor, heart, and visual delight, this clever comedy introduces young audiences to Shakespearean storytelling in a fresh, accessible way. Directed by Lauren Hainley, Lions in Illyria is a joyful theatrical journey that celebrates courage, kindness, and being true to yourself—perfect for families and first-time theatergoers.

Performances:
Saturdays, January 31, February 7, 14 & 21 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Matinee: Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m.

Bring your pride, your cubs, and your sense of adventure. Illyria awaits!

Buy Tickets

Opening Night Celebration!

Raise a glass as we continue our 2025–2026 Season at The Company OnStage! Curtains & Cabernet returns as our season-long opening-night tradition for our Evening Series, and we’re thrilled to host our third event of the year before the opening performance of The Importance of Being Earnest on January 30th.

Enjoy complimentary wine and cheese with the purchase of your show ticket, and join us in celebrating another joyful production in our holiday lineup.

Arrive by 7:30 p.m. to enjoy the festivities before the curtain rises at 8:00 p.m.

Reserve your seats, bring a friend, and help us toast to a season filled with laughter, community, and memorable theatre at COS!

Buy Tickets

 

Next Month at COS

Join Us for Library Days at The Company OnStage!

Celebrate the magic of stories, both onstage and on the page, at our upcoming Library Days event, held alongside the morning performance of Lions in Illyria. This joyful, family-friendly morning is the perfect way to connect with theatre, creativity, and your local library community.

Event Details:
Saturday, February 7, 2026
10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Arrive by 10:30 a.m. for the craft activity)

Enjoy a fun and engaging lineup suitable for all ages:

• A fun live performance of Lions in Illyria
• A free DIY craft station where kids can make their own lion fan
• On-site sign-ups for a Houston Public Library card
• Opportunities to explore creativity, storytelling, and community together

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome, just reserve your spot and join us! Bring your family, your imagination, and your love for books and theatre as we celebrate a morning full of holiday cheer and the joy of reading.

Reserve Your Spot Today

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