SUNY Oneonta Students Produce "The Firebugs" with Theatre Department

For its opening production of the 2025-2026 academic year, the SUNY Oneonta Theatre Department presented "The Firebugs" with 22 students.

"The Firebugs," written by Swiss playwright and novelist Max Frisch, is dark comedy that explores themes of morality, complicity and the dangers of ignoring evil. In the midst of escalating arson attacks plaguing his city, businessman Gottlieb Biedermann finds himself entangled in a precarious situation. At home, his attempt to maintain a facade of normalcy clashes with the reality of his own complacency as he unwittingly harbors potential firebugs under his roof. As the story unfolds, Biedermann's struggle to reconcile his moral stance with his actions culminates in a disastrous and ironic conclusion.

"The Firebugs has a great deal to say about the times we live in," said SUNY Oneonta Professor of Theatre History, Dramatic Literature and Acting John McCaslin-Doyle. "For example, when the leading character cries out, 'I can't be scared the whole time!' it seems that between politics and advertising, the media is working overtime to keep the population in a state of anger and fear."

The performance, directed by McCaslin-Doyle, was a joint production made possible by the Theatre Department faculty and staff and students from the Mask and Hammer theatre club. Rehearsals began at the beginning of the fall 2025 semester, and the show ran four times in the Hamblin Theatre on campus from Oct. 2-5. Students fulfilled cast and crew roles, including lighting and sound design and operation, props coordination, stage management, deck and construction crew, electricians and costume stitchers.