The Robu family kicks off Plymouth Fine Arts Series' 10th season
Tim and Francie Robu play a father and daughter in 'Birds of North America,' which Karen Robu directs.
Wichita theater stalwarts Tim and Karen Robu team up with their daughter Francie Robu to present the two-hander “Birds of North America,” which opens this year’s Plymouth Fine Arts Series at Plymouth Congregational Church. The play runs October 9-10.
Karen Robu, a longtime Wichita actor and the senior minister at Plymouth, founded the arts series in 2016 along with former music director Howard Webb. She and Chris Shaw, the current music director, now collaborate. Robu noted in an email that the plays presented in prior years featured larger casts and professional actors.
“But I read ‘Birds of North America’ a few years back and really liked how it examined family relationships while bringing in current issues like global warming. I thought it would be interesting to have father/daughter play father/daughter onstage.”
Tim Robu noted that his work with Francie reminded him what he loves about his long tenure with Music Theatre Wichita: The young actors “attack each play with such enthusiasm and joy.” He and Francie have been on stage together, but “this is the first one where we have only each other to rely on,” he said in an email. “She has the talent and the youthful passion, and I’ll just add the part about being the father.”
"Their family dynamic translates naturally to the stage,” Karen Robu said.
“I love the funnier moments, especially when Tim’s character goes on a tangent about something to Francie’s character. Let’s just say her reactions are very believable.”
Plymouth Congregational holds three events in its annual arts series. An organ concert with Jan Kraybill takes place November 14. An art exhibition titled “Visualizing Palestine” opens on First Friday in April 2027 and runs through April 8. The show uses data and research to visually communicate Palestinian experiences.
Plymouth’s annual Word & Note event, February 19-21, 2027, will feature author, poet, and storyteller Kaitlin Curtice and Grammy-nominated conductor Beth Willer.
The Details
Plymouth Congregational Church presents "Birds of North America"
7 p.m. October 9-10, 2026, at Plymouth Congregational Church, 202 N Clifton Ave. in Wichita
Tickets are $20, and they can be purchased at the door or online.
Learn more and purchase tickets.
Anne Welsbacher writes plays, fiction, and nonfiction. She is the Performing Arts Editor for this publication. awelsbacher.com
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