Compass Rose Theater, a professional teaching theater in Annapolis, unveiled its 2025-26 season at Maryland Hall on Wednesday. It marks the first season led by the theater’s new artistic director, Madeline Austin, who has years of Broadway experience.
Here’s where the Compass is pointing for the next year:
“Annie” (Sept. 19 to Oct. 19 at Maryland Hall)
The first showing of the season is the theater classic “Annie,” which follows an orphan taken in by a rich man. It won seven Tony awards when it debuted in 1977.
Compass Rose’s rendition will be directed by Tracy Adler, a former Howard County high school teacher turned director. Music direction will be done by Barrett Johnson, who played Chiffon in “Little Shop of Horrors” for Compass Rose earlier this year.
Casting is complete and rehearsals are underway. Jules Kanarek will play Annie while James Toler will be Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks. The show will also make use of an animal actor for Annie’s dog Sandy, who will be played by a pup named Sequel. Barbara Webber, Compass Rose’s executive director, said Sequel has already met with the cast.
“Sequel is going to steal everyone’s heart. We’re already well aware of that,” Webber said. “If Annie wasn’t already going to steal it, Sequel is going to be a close call in the running.”
“Pride and Prejudice” (Nov. 14 to Dec. 14 at Maryland Hall)
After “Annie” comes “Pride and Prejudice,” specifically a version by U.K.-based playwright Emma Whipday adapted from the classic Jane Austen novel. It will be directed by artistic director Austin, who plans to helm a show every year.
Austin said she has been working with Whipday to tweak the script in an effort to make it Compass Rose’s own. She said she saw a version of Whipday’s adaptation at a theater in Virginia.
“It was hilarious and funny, but also true to the language, true to the storytelling, but it had a slightly sharp take on [it], and it was adapted so beautifully,” Austin said.
This year also marks Austen’s 250th birthday, another reason Austin picked the show.
“Rent” (Feb. 6 to March 8 at Anne Arundel Community College)
After the new year comes the Jonathan Larson rock musical “Rent,” though this time at Anne Arundel Community College as Maryland Hall begins renovations in early 2026. Stephen Emery will direct, previously directing “Proof” for Compass Rose, while musical direction will be done by Paige Rammelkamp, a music teacher and director.
Based on Italian opera “La Bohème,” “Rent” follows a New York neighborhood and explores themes of the AIDS epidemic, the LGBTQ community and poverty.
Austin, who teaches at Anne Arundel Community College, said putting on the show at the school has allowed the two organizations to collaborate. Department of Performing Arts students are encouraged to get involved so they can gain experience with a professional theater company.
She said the collaboration could open the door to similar arrangements in the future, even after Maryland Hall renovations are complete.
“Compass Rose Cabaret” (April 10 to 26 at Unity by the Bay church)
The season will close with a cabaret show to celebrate the theater’s 15th anniversary, directed by Jack Benedict, who has done musical direction for Compass Rose previously.
The show will have food, drinks and a selection of songs from musicals throughout the theater’s history, although specific pieces have not been announced.
Compass Rose, a nonprofit, aims to give those interested in the theater industry professional experience.
“We’ve created a welcoming space for professional actors and people who are interested in theater, because that’s what we want to grow here is more theater lovers and more opportunities for actors and behind-the-scenes folks and creatives to create great theater in Annapolis,” Webber said.
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