Exit — Pursued by a Bear (SCU Play)

Santa Clara University is presenting Lauren Gunderson’s “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” this week at the Fess Parker Studio Theatre on its Santa Clara campus, with performances running through May 17, 2026. The production is directed by JanLee Marshall, according to the university’s Theatre and Dance department. Santa Clara University describes the play as a dark revenge comedy centered on Nan, a woman confronting her abusive husband, Kyle, with help from her friend Simon and a new ally named Sweetheart. The show is part of the university’s 2025-26 theatre season. ### When and where is the play being performed? Santa Clara University lists the run as May 8-17, 2026, at the Fess Parker Studio Theatre. The university’s season page says mainstage performances are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Friday, May 15, has an 8 p.m. performance, according to the SCU Presents ticketing page. (scu.edu) A separate ticket listing also shows a Sunday, May 17, performance for the same production, indicating those are the remaining performances this weekend. ### What is “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” about? Lauren Gunderson wrote “Exit, Pursued by a Bear,” and Santa Clara University summarizes the story as Nan “tak[ing] things into her own hands” in dealing with her abusive husband, Kyle. (scu.edu) The university says the evening turns “emotional and absurd” as Nan, Simon and Sweetheart force a reckoning with the past. (scupresents.scu.edu) SCU’s Theatre and Dance department says the production uses “duct tape, honey and raw meat” as part of that revenge-comedy setup. The university’s program description frames the piece as both comic and violent, with a content warning for mature themes, adult language, staged violence and the handling of a prop hunting rifle. (scu.edu) ### Who is behind the Santa Clara production? JanLee Marshall is directing the Santa Clara University staging, according to the production page and the campus event calendar. The play is being mounted by the Department of Theatre and Dance as part of the school’s university theatre series. The Department of Theatre and Dance says its season is built around student performance and production work. (scu.edu) The department also says Santa Clara University students receive free admission to its performances through the SCU Student Free Ticket Program. ### How much do tickets cost? SCU Presents lists reserved seating for “Exit, Pursued by a Bear.” Ticket prices are $18 for adults and $14 for faculty, staff, seniors, and attendees age 18 and under, according to the season page. (scu.edu) SCU students are admitted free, the university says. The ticketing page for the May 15 performance also advertises a package discount of $4 off each ticket when buyers choose three or more events in a series package. (scu.edu) ### Are there any audience advisories? Santa Clara University recommends the show for ages 13 and older. (scupresents.org) The university’s content notice says the production contains mature themes, adult language, staged violence and a prop hunting rifle. SCU Presents also includes domestic-violence support information alongside the production listing, directing people to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Next Door Solutions and Santa Clara University’s Wellness Center. (scupresents.org) That guidance appears on the season page because the play’s plot involves relationship abuse. (scu.edu) ### What comes after this weekend? May 17, 2026, is the listed closing date for “Exit, Pursued by a Bear” at Santa Clara University. SCU Presents says the next mainstage production in the department’s season is “Head Over Heels,” scheduled for May 29 through June 7, 2026, at the Louis B. Mayer Theatre. (scupresents.org)