“The Gingham Dog,” a one-act play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lanford Wilson, will be presented by the School of Performing Arts at Squires Studio Theatre from Feb. 24-28.

First produced in 1968, the play remains a striking examination of marriage, class, and emotional volatility within the American home.

Written during a period of intense social and cultural change in the United States, “The Gingham Dog” centers on a married couple whose evening conversation slowly unravels into a confrontation filled with resentment, insecurity, and unspoken power struggles. The play is widely regarded as one of Wilson’s most incisive works. 

“The questions of class, power, and equity feel just as relevant in 2026 as they did when Lanford Wilson wrote it in the late '60s and early '70s. Even if some period references feel dated, the emotional truths and the disillusionment at the center of the relationship are deeply contemporary,” said Brittney S. Harris, director and assistant professor of applied theatre. 

Wilson was known for blending naturalistic dialogue with heightened emotional stakes. In “The Gingham Dog," everyday language becomes a weapon, revealing the fragility of intimacy and the emotional cost of societal expectations placed on marriage and success.

The design elements play a critical role in grounding the play’s tension. Set entirely within one living room, the environment reflects both comfort and confinement. According to Harris, the production leans into this dynamic while emphasizing its intimate intensity.

“Because the play unfolds in real time and stays in one living room, the tension has to live in the bodies and in how the space is used, not just in the text. For me, it starts with the dynamic of two people packing up an entire life together. One is pragmatic and focused on order, the other is more emotionally untethered, and that friction becomes active,” Harris said.

Costume and lighting choices further support the emotional landscape of the play, subtly reinforcing shifts in power and mood as the couple’s conflict escalates. “Costume design can tell a story through subtleties like color, line, shape, and texture, and those all help inform a character’s arc and personality. That’s something you will see a lot of in 'The Gingham Dog,'” said Camilla Morrison, costume designer and visiting instructor of costume design and technology.

Though written more than five decades ago, “The Gingham Dog” continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. Its exploration of miscommunications and emotional labor within relationships remains sharply relevant. 

“My hope is that audiences see themselves somewhere in that complexity,” Harris said. “That the piece feels like a mirror, an invitation to look inward, but also a chance to simply sit back and go on the journey with these two people. If it opens space for reflection and a little more compassion, then we’ve done our job.”

Performances are Feb. 24-27 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Squires Studio Theatre.

Tickets are $15 for the general public and $12 for seniors and students and may be purchased through the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech ticket office in person, online, or by calling 540-231-5300. All seating is general admission. Tickets will be available at the door in the Squires Student Center beginning one hour prior to the performance. For online purchases, please visit the School of Performing Arts website.

All university community members and visitors will need to display a parking permit, use the ParkMobile app, pay a fee, or pay using an hourly meter to park on the Blacksburg campus unless otherwise noted by signage. Find additional parking information on the Parking Services website.

If you are an individual with a disability and/or desire an accommodation, please contact Emily Baker at least 10 days prior to the event.

Next on the Squires Studio Theatre stage is "Small Mouth Sounds" by Bess Wohl, directed by Julia Devine, running April 21-25.

Written by Kendall Seibel, a graduate student in arts leadership

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