Butler Theatre Closes Season with Commedia-Inspired "Comedy of Errors"

Butler Community College’s theater program brought fast-paced comedy and bold physical storytelling to the stage with its recent production of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, performed April 16–18. 

Directed by Erin Urick, the production re-imagined the classic farce through the lens of Commedia dell’Arte, an Italian Renaissance performance style known for exaggerated movement, distinct stock characters and expressive masks. Butler students embraced the challenge, transforming the play into a vibrant, highly physical experience designed to engage audiences from the first moment. 

“The masks were an integral part of the style, so I could not incorporate Commedia into our production without them,” Urick said. “Our mask designers—students Sydney Cole and Fay Belair—did lots of research to design and create masks for each character and actor.” 

Urick said working with Shakespeare’s language added another rewarding layer to the production process. “Working with Shakespearean text was a unique challenge that was very refreshing when the actors ‘got’ a line or a joke in the script and figured out a way to help the audience to follow along,” she said. “I was grateful to work with so many talented, clever, and creative folks on this production.” 

Candace Weilert, who played Antipholus of Ephesus and appeared in three of Butler’s four main stage productions this season, said the show challenged her creatively while serving as a meaningful finale to her time at Butler.

“Learning about Commedia dell’Arte and working with masks was very new and scary at first but also something fresh and exciting,” Weilert said. “Overall I’m really glad I got the opportunity to try something new because I feel like I learned a lot about myself as an actress working in this show. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish off my time at Butler.” 

The 2026-27 main stage season will be announced at this year’s Spelvin Awards on May 14. 

Cast and crew listed by hometown: 

Clearwater 
Kalea Gooch (Assistant Director) 

Dexter 
Laikin Bratcher (Luce / Emilia) 

El Dorado 
Fay Belair (Costumes) 
Emeline Spradlin (Courtezan) 

Goddard 
Kara Scribner (Officer) 

Hutchinson 
Michaela Lucia (Stage Manager) 

Junction City 
Jaxon Hodge (Dromio of Ephesus) 

Madison 
Cheyenne Trower (First Merchant / Second Merchant) 

Newton 
Ronni Horn (Angelo) 
Grey Thaw (Luciana) 

Valley Center 
Annaliese Black (Assistant Stage Manager) 
Savannah Wolff (Duke Solinas / Dr. Pinch) 

Wichita 
Sydney Cole (Costumes) 
Jaden Murdock (Antipholus of Syracuse) 
Riley Outhier (Egeon / Balthasar) 
Melia Voshell (Adriana) 
Candice Weilert (Antipholus of Ephesus) 
Shane Wilson (Dromio of Syracuse)