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Shows & Events

Productions, tributes, and fundraisers presented by the Ken Bradbury Foundation and the partners who keep Ken's work on stage.

When asked which was his favorite show, Ken would always reply: "The next one." Since 2018 the Foundation and its partners have kept that spirit alive — restaging Ken's plays, mounting new tributes, and gathering the community for a good cause.

Decade

2026 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

Couplings — Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church

Ken Bradbury's Couplings returns to Jacksonville after an eight-year hiatus, July 10–12, 2026 at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, with proceeds benefiting the Ken Bradbury Foundation.

2026 · The Esprit de Corps Academy

Make a Wish! — The Esprit de Corps Academy

The Esprit de Corps Academy of Jacksonville stages Ken Bradbury's Make a Wish! at its free summer theater camp — performances August 14 & 15, 2026.

2025 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

The Bystanders — Pike County Tour

The Ken Bradbury Foundation brought Ken's musical The Bystanders to Perry, Griggsville, and Pittsfield in the spring of 2025 — a one-day Pike County tour with proceeds benefiting the Foundation.

2025 · Theatre in the Park

Memories of Mama, Thinking of Dad — Theatre in the Park

Theatre in the Park at New Salem staged Ken Bradbury's readers'-theatre tribute Memories of Mama, Thinking of Dad over a July 2025 weekend, with Foundation support.

2024 · Triopia

Camp Sunshine — Triopia Jr./Sr. High School

Triopia Jr./Sr. High School and the Ken Bradbury Foundation present Ken's musical comedy Camp Sunshine, April 2024 — directed by Katie McDannald and Casey Suhling.

2024 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

The KB New Year's Eve Joke Show 2024

The Ken Bradbury Foundation's annual New Year's Eve Joke Show returned December 31, 2024 at a new home — K's Creek in Jacksonville, Illinois.

2023 · Triopia

Children of the Rainbow — Triopia Jr./Sr. High School (2023)

Triopia Jr./Sr. High School and the Ken Bradbury Foundation present Ken's original musical Children of the Rainbow, April 2023 — directed by Katie Graner as a tribute to Ken Bradbury.

2022 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

From the Writer's Desk

A Ken Bradbury Foundation production (2022), assembled by Jim Yale from Ken's show journals.

2022 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

New Year's Eve Joke Show 2022

The Foundation's popular New Year's Eve Joke Show returns to The Warehouse 200 in Jacksonville — an hour of music and laughs to ring out the year.

2019 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

Branson Bound

A hilarious ride on an overnight bus to the senior citizen promised land of Branson, MO — Ken's final comedy, finished by friends and staged for the Foundation.

2019 · Ken Bradbury Foundation

Bradbury by Bradbury

A collection of Ken Bradbury's most personal one-act plays on the journey of faith, returning to the Illinois College stage with many original cast members.

2019 · Triopia

Triopia Tribute to Ken Bradbury

A posthumous Triopia tribute to Ken Bradbury, featured on WSEC-TV / PBS Springfield's 'Illinois Stories' and supported by the Ken Bradbury Foundation.

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