The Night Witches

Written by Rachel Bublitz
Oct 23 - Nov 1, 2020

As we explore new ways to connect, we are committed to expanding access to arts experiences in Utah and beyond. The Department of Theatre is now offering free admission for Utah high school students to our live-streamed shows, with deeply discounted ticket prices for the general public. 

Nina and Vera have just finished their training as navigators and are moments away from their first combat mission. As they fight their nerves, the women around them remind them what they are fighting for: honor, family, survival, country. But this night is different, and the enemy is waiting. When the time comes, they must fly--ready or not. The Night Witches follows these women through one fateful evening, as they venture into the sky and beyond.

The fearsome flyers of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment completed over 23,000 missions without radios or parachutes, in planes made of canvas and wood. Hidden by darkness, they dropped bomb after bomb on their German enemy every fifteen minutes to keep them from sleeping. Underestimated, scorned, and under-supplied, the “Night Witches” trained one another as they flew between ranks and duties. Mechanics became navigators, navigators became pilots, pilots became commanders, and, eventually, all became legends: by the end of the war, they were the most decorated unit in the Soviet Air Force.

The Night Witches, written by Salt Lake playwright Rachel Bublitz and directed by Alexandra Harbold, is a one-of-a-kind theatre event: performed live each night and streamed online, this is the first fully virtual production from the University of Utah's Department of Theatre. After purchasing or requesting your ticket you will receive an email with a link and a password for the live stream. Be sure to arrive and log in at least fifteen minutes before showtime so you can confirm your password, check your connection, explore our virtual theatre space, and chat online with other patrons.

• U Students can reserve free tickets by visiting the University's Arts Tickets site. Choose your desired day and time, then proceed to checkout and select "ArtsPass" as your form of payment.
• View and download the program here.
• If you'd like to know more about the Night Witches, visit our dramaturgy site

 Department of Theatre photography by Todd Collins | Photo manipulation by Aaron Swenson

Taryn McClure (Polly)

Dorothy Mayer (Matty)

CoCo Berwald (Violet)

Tristian Osborne (Prof. Sharp)

Hannah Ekstrom (Anna)

Taryn McClure (Polly)

Dorothy Mayer (Matty)

CoCo Berwald (Violet)

Hannah Ekstrom (Anna)

Polly, Matty, Violet, Anna, & Professor Sharp

Polly, Matty, Violet, and Anna