Drake University Theatre Arts opens its Fall 2026 season with a staged reading of Symptoms of Being Alive, an original work by senior Theatre Arts student Asher Speck. The production runs Sept. 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the Turner Jazz Center inside the Harmon Fine Arts Center on the Drake University campus.
Each year, Drake Theatre presents the winning submission of the Iowa Playwriting Contest as a staged reading to launch its MainStage season. Speck’s script earned this year’s honor, marking the second time in the past year that Drake University has produced one of his original works.
Directed by junior Musical Theatre major Melina Williams, Symptoms of Being Alive follows Izzie as she navigates an unexpected future following a miraculous recovery from a terminal illness. Grappling with survival guilt while adjusting to life outside Newport Hospital, Izzie turns to her friends—Quinn, Jayden, Theo, and Chris—to find purpose and learn how to honor those who cannot live on. The play uses humor and heart to explore how love and connection endure in the face of loss.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available online at tix.com/ticket-sales/drakefinearts or by calling the Drake University Fine Arts Box Office at 515-271-3841.
About the Director
Melina Williams, a junior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Directing, makes his directorial debut with this production. Having followed the development of the play since Speck’s first draft, Williams felt a deep connection to the script’s portrayal of platonic love and community. His recent performance and technical credits at Drake include Comedy of Errors (Dromio of Ephesus), Cabaret (Emcee), Julius Caesar (Head Electrician), and Duck, Duck, Gay Duck (Fight Choreographer).
About the Playwright
Asher Speck is a senior pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with minors in Theatre Design & Technology and Creative Writing. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and character dynamics similar to the television series The Midnight Club, Speck crafted the script to explore poetic dialogue and deep emotional resonance. Speck previously served as co-writer, director, and choreographer for Drake’s production of Duck, Duck, Gay Duck.
Upcoming Drake University Fall 2026 Productions
Antigone: Oct. 1–4, 2026
Urinetown: Nov. 19–22, 2026
For more information about the Theatre Arts department and upcoming performances, visit drake.edu/fineartsboxoffice.