Aims Theatre Group Brings the Southern Classic “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” to Life

The Aims Community Theater (ACT) presents Tennessee Williams’ classic 1955 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” in November.  ACT will present both evening and matinee performances at the Ed Beaty Hall Theater on the Aims Community College Greeley Campus, 5203 W. 20th Street.

Showtimes

• Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, November 8 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, November 9 at 1 p.m.
• Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, November 15 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, November 16 at 1 p.m.

Plot and Themes

A post-show talkback session on November 9 and 14 provides deeper insights into the play’s themes and production choices. “I hope audiences leave feeling reflective about truth, vulnerability and what we hide from the people closest to us,” said Aims Theater Director and Instructor Benjamin Kessler. “If the show sparks one meaningful conversation about honesty, compassion or connection, then we’ve succeeded.”

“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” takes place in Big Daddy Pollitt’s plantation home in the Mississippi Delta. The play explores the relationships between members of the Pollitt family, focusing on Brick, his son, and Brick’s wife, Margaret, also known as “the Cat.” Tensions erupt over lies, repressed desires and the weight of unspoken truths. Kessler believes that the play is about communication, “what’s said, what’s left unsaid and how silence can fracture relationships. In an era where so much is performed for appearances on social media, in families, in workplaces, Williams’ insistence on truth feels urgent.” 

While the play’s themes of greed, shallowness, dishonesty, deterioration, sexual desire, repression and death are universal, it’s important to remember that the play is a product of its time. ACT acknowledges that some language in this performance reflects ethnic, racial, and other social prejudices that were once common in American society. The team has chosen to present the production as written, as altering it would risk denying the reality of these past prejudices. “This production talks about so many difficult subjects that not everyone is always willing to talk about, but sometimes needs to,” said Mari Waller, the director of this show.

This is ACT’s eighth production. “‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ represents not just another show, but a celebration of how far we’ve come as a student and community theatre,” Kessler said. “ACT has become a home for learning, collaboration and creative risk-taking. This production honors that while looking toward the future. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” demands vulnerability; it’s a perfect match for the level of maturity and talent our students are showing right now.” Waller agrees about the high quality of the production and dedication of the cast and crew; “they have worked so hard, both from the acting and tech perspectives of the show. Everyone that’s a part of this production is so incredibly talented.” 

Tickets are Limited

Tickets are limited and cost $15 each. Visit aims.co/cat-tix to learn more and buy tickets. All proceeds from ticket sales directly fund future ACT productions, ensuring the continued growth and enrichment of the performing arts at Aims.​

North Range Behavioral Health is the nonprofit partner for this show. You can further support ACT and future productions by giving to the Aims Foundation at aims.co/donate. Please specify that you want your money to fund the Aims Theater Group.

About  Aims Community Theater Group

The Aims Community Theater Group (ACT Group) at Aims Community College is a vibrant center of creativity and community engagement, forging strong partnerships both within the college and the broader community. Collaborations span multiple internal departments, creating a united effort to enhance the arts at Aims. Dedicated to fostering artistic growth and providing a platform for aspiring performers, directors, designers and technicians, the theater group serves as a cornerstone of cultural enrichment for both students and the wider community of Weld County and Northern Colorado.  If you are interested in participating in an upcoming production, reach out at actgroup@aims.edu.