April 10th, 2026, review by the Seward Folly Staff

The Seward Theatre Collective is taking on The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton’s classic novel that’s been a mainstay on middle school reading lists for decades. This production stands out not just for its familiar story, but for the size and makeup of its cast. High school director Evie Bukac says it’s the biggest turnout Seward Theatre Collective has ever had, with many students stepping on stage for the first time.

A large number of these newcomers are high school boys, some of whom auditioned specifically because The Outsiders is their favorite book. The entire production, from direction to acting, is handled by students, giving the show a genuine sense of youth and perspective.

“It is a beautiful story that says men are allowed to have emotions and young people are allowed to act out and still be people,” says Bukac. That spirit comes through clearly in the performance, which transports the audience to 1967 Tulsa, Oklahoma, with honesty and energy.

If you want to see what a group of passionate Seward students can do with a classic story, this is a play you shouldn’t miss.