USI Theatre continues season with Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B

University of Southern Indiana Theatre is proud to continue the 2026 Spring Semester with Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill, happening Thursday through Sunday, March 5-8, in the Mallette Studio Theatre, located in the lower level of the College of Liberal Arts building on campus.

A modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth and sidekick, this irreverent and darkly comic tale re-examines the world’s most famous detective story with a bold new feminist lens. Oddball female roommates Sherlock Holmes and Joan Watson join forces to emerge from pandemic fog as a deeply codependent, quasi-dysfunctional odd couple adventure duo. The pair find themselves chasing every shadow while solving mysteries and kicking butts, until they come face to face with a villain who seems to have all the answers.

Playwright Kate Hamill is deeply passionate about creating new feminist, female-centered classics, both in new plays and in adaptation, stories that center around complicated women. Her work as a playwright celebrates theatricality, often features absurdity and closely examines social and gender issues, as well as the timeless struggle to reconcile conscience and identity with social pressures.

Directing the show will be Brynne Stephens, senior theatre student. Stephens ’26, is making her directing debut after many show appearances. She has previously served as the Assistant Director for USI’s production of Xanadu, appeared as Loud Stone in Eurydice and the Soprano in 35MM: A Musical Exhibition and will be portraying Zoe Murphy in the upcoming performance of Dear Evan Hansen.

Stephens is being mentored by USI Theatre alumnus Danielle Scott ’15. Scott currently serves as a Lecturer of Voice and Diction for the department as well as the Artistic & Educational Director for the Evansville Civic Theatre.

Holmes and Watson is an entirely student-led production. Every role, from cast to designers, is taken on by our students for them to gain practical experience with the mentorship of our faculty. Designers include Scenic Designer Emma Marshall ’27, Lighting Designers Morgan Ray ’27 and John Ferguson ’29, Sound Designer Andrew Bryant ’26 and Costume Designer Brady Kolb ’26.

Cast members include Reagan Foray ’28, Amy’a Dallas ’28, Brecken Maddox ’27 and Audrey Mereday ’28. Production staff include Stage Manager Noah Short ’28, Assistant Stage Manager Kelsey Justice ’29 and Assistant Stage Manager Lily Alfred ’29.

Shows will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee scheduled for Sunday. Seating is general admission, and tickets are $5 per person. To purchase tickets, or for more information, contact the Box Office by calling (812) 465-7110 or by visiting the USI Theatre website at USI.edu/theatre.

Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B is produced by special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. For more information, visit their website at  www.theatricalrights.com.