Wichita State University
2026 Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition Winner
Honoring the legacy of Bela Kiralyfalvi-beloved professor, director, and founding figure of WSU's theatre program until his retirement in 2002, the competition seeks to celebrate and amplify the voices of undergraduate playwrights nationwide.
Date: September 17-19th, 2026 @ 7:30 PM
Guest Director: Jane Gabbert
Description:
The School of Performing Arts presents a staged reading of a new play selected from undergraduate and graduate student submissions across the United States through the 2026 Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition.
DINNERTIME: A Play in Seven Courses, is about a woman who invites a man over to her house, ostensibly for a simple dinner date. The night takes a turn for the strange when she reveals her carnivorous intent and veers into pure absurdity when he decides to stay. Over seven courses, all with their own unique culinary constituents, the two deliberate over several philosophies: the tenets of truth and beauty, what should and should not be edible, and the undeniable pull of carnal desire. The play culminates in the ultimate act of sin and sacrifice.
Rated: R
Tickets: $17 general seating
Headshots and Bios
Creative Team
Jane Gabbert(Director) received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Theatre from Wichita
State University, then went on to receive her Master of Fine Arts from Ohio University.
She studied with the beloved Dr. Richard Welsbacher, Mary Jane Teall, Joyce Cavarozzi,
Audrey Needles, and Bela Kiralyfalvi. She also is an acting student of New York City
acting teacher Charlie Kakatsakis. Gabbert’s film credits include Sully, w/Tom Hanks & Dir. Clint Eastwood, 10 episodes as “Dave’s Nurse” on Late Night w/David Letterman, Search Party (5 seasons MAX), Jack Ryan, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Daily Show, Indies - Closer to Home, ABC’s Unspeakable Acts w/Bebe Neuwirth, and Daytime – All My Children & Loving. Off-Broadway credits include Mama & Baby w/June Squibb (Women’s Interart Theatre), MAX w/Barney Martin (South St. Theatre). Apollo from Bellac (Public Theatre), Giggle & Scream (Circle Rep Lab),A Late Snow (Houseman Theatre), Honor Bright (McGinn-Cazale Theatre), Big, Fat & Ugly (Perry St. Theatre), and Love Song for Chairman Mao (Triangle Theatre). Sketch comedy on The Daily Show and 2 episodes for The Chair Company (HBO Max) with Tim Robinson and will be shooting the second season this fall. Some
of Gabbert’s regional theatre credits include Milwaukee Repertory, Asolo & Geva theatres,
Penn Stage Co., Monomoy Summer Theatre. She was also a Guest Artist in residence at
Cornell University, Case Western Reserve. Mid-Pac Institute, Honolulu, HI.
Anna Halza (Playwright) is a fourth-year student at Oklahoma University and will graduate in Spring 2027
with a BFA in Drama and a BA in Professional Writing. She is the co-writer of two
devised works with Co.Arts Theater Co., titled How To Smoke Three Cigarettes At Once and This City Will Eat You Alive, the latter of which she is also starring in. She is the recipient of the 2024 UReCA
Grant, which supported the development of her short play, Another Beginning. Some of her favorite acting credits include: Susan, The Secretaries (2025 UReCA), Sarah, Camp Contrition (SHEDFW), and Phyllis, Body Awareness (OU Student Theater Council). From Anna’s website, she writes, “As an artist, I am
deeply dedicated to creating visceral, exciting experiences for new audiences. My
work is boldly unapologetic- as is my dedication to bringing art to nontraditional
spaces.” Check out more about her at annahalza.com.
Cast
Pashence Adkins (Her Understudy) is a Junior in the theater BA program at WSU who just finished up their internship
at the New London Barn Playhouse. They are thrilled to be given the opportunity to
work with Jane Gabbert as the understudy for HER in this first production of Dinnertime.
Jordan Bodenhamer (Him Understudy) a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Acting. Previously
he could be found delighting audiences on stage as Slim in Oklahoma!, and as a Wayward Youth in The Music Man (Broadway RFD). He also appeared as A. A. Milne in Now We Are A Hundred, and as the understudy for Richard in Time Stands Still from Wichita State University. Jordan is a proud member of WSU's Fight Club and loves
the art of storytelling. He hopes to make a positive impact and build connections
through his performances.
Colton Farmer (Him) is thrilled to be returning to the Wichita State University Stage! Previous university
credits include Time Stands Still, Twelfth Night, and Now We Are a Hundred. Colton is a third-year student pursuing a BFA in Performing Arts with an emphasis
in Acting. He gives thanks to the cast and crew of this production, to the one and
only Jane Gabbert, to the brilliant Anna Halza, and to his loved ones for their constant
support. Enjoy the show! @coltonjnorris
Peyton Grace Henderson (Her) is thrilled to be part of this project! Born and raised in the Wichita area, she is a second-year student at Wichita State University pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Acting, a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Vocal emphasis, and a minor in Dance. Some of her previous credits include SIX: Teen Edition (Jane Seymour), Moon Over Buffalo (Charlotte Hay), Hello, Dolly! (Minnie Fay), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti). Peyton Grace was also recently nominated for an Irene Ryan Acting Award through the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5 for her performance as Mandy Bloom in Time Stands Still.
Peyton Grace’s goal as an artist is to embrace every opportunity to grow, create, and authentically share her voice. Inspired by one of her idols, Dolly Parton, she strives to “find out who you are and do it on purpose.” She is endlessly grateful for the love and support from her friends and family, and deeply thankful for the community the School of Performing Arts has given her. Most importantly, she is proudest of her title as “T” (auntie). T loves y’all so much—and sincerely hopes you’re not at this production because of the content and it’s past your bedtime.
You can follow Peyton Grace’s artistic journey through her Instagram @peyton.grace.henderson
Grace Ryan (Narrator) is very excited to be working on Wichita State's production of DINNERTIME. She is
a third-year musical theater and music education student. She has worked as a music
director on Spongebob the Musical Jr. (Lafayette Arts Hub), Ride The Cyclone (WSMTC), The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (WSMTC), and more. Grace also serves as the company manager for the Wichita State
Performing Arts Company and is a member of WSMTC. She believes in accessible and well-rounded
performing arts educations for all students.
