The College of Public Health is pleased to be a sponsor of Eureka Day at Riverside Theatre this fall. Eureka Day is 2025 Tony Award-winning play with a light-hearted yet poignant take on vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and public health in a divided world. Set in a progressive elementary school in Berkeley, California, during a mumps outbreak, this sharply funny play dives into the chaos that erupts when science, personal beliefs, and group chats collide.

As part of this collaboration, the college will be hosting opportunities to explore the issues presented in the play and how art and theater can help bring people together and encourage productive conversations about difficult topics.

Saturday, October 25

Riverside Theatre
119 E College St., Iowa City, IA
Show time: 7:30 p.m.

College of Public Health students, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to attend this special Saturday evening performance of Eureka Day. The Riverside Theatre lobby will be open for an informal social gathering from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. prior to the show and refreshments will be available to purchase.

Hang around after the performance for a talk-back session with a panel of experts featuring CPH Professor Natoshia Askelson.

A 20% discount on tickets will be available to all CPH students, faculty, and staff for the Oct. 25 performance only. Email cph-communications@uiowa.edu to receive the discount code.

Learn more and purchase tickets here, or call the box office at 319-259-7099.

Eureka Day: Theater, Vaccines, and the Art of Difficult Conversations

Wednesday, October 29

12:30 to 1:20 p.m.
Callaghan Auditorium (N110) CPHB

Join us for this thought-provoking “CPH Spotlight” presentation on October 29. Kathleen Johnson, director of Eureka Day and Director of Education and Outreach at Riverside Theatre, and Natoshia Askelson, professor of community and behavioral health in the College of Public Health, will unpack how theater can turn hot-button issues like vaccine hesitancy and public health into thoughtful, engaging, and productive conversation starters.

This Spotlight is open to UI students, faculty, and staff—and anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling and science.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the College of Public Health in advance at 319-384-1500. Please contact Riverside Theatre directly at 319-259-7099 if you require accommodations at the theater.