Performing Arts Department Senior Capstone Theater Projects: "Arcana" and "Orpheus through Movement"

The second show of our Performing Arts/Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies 2024-25 Main Stage Season is all written, directed, designed, and performed by SMCM students!

ARCANA, written by Basil Vallone with contributions from the inaugural Ensemble Performance Capstone class and directed by Mark Andrew Britos. 

A severe drought endangers a commune on the outskirts of society. To find the next steps, the commune decides to perform a ritual, but the commune's misaligned intentions cause the ritual's magic to create an all-powerful deity. The commune has twelve hours to come up with an offering for the goddess to save them from the drought, or she will make the situation much worse. Audiences will be invited to make active choices that affect the outcome of the story as they become part of the performance community. 

AND

ORPHEUS THROUGH MOVEMENT, conceived and directed by Kathryn Chojna as part of her St. Mary's Project.

Orpheus Through Movement is a non verbal, movement & dance based reimagining of the tragic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The story follows Orpheus, a gifted musician, falling in love with Eurydice. As Eurydice dies right before the wedding, Orpheus forces their way into the underworld to demand Eurydice be brought back from the dead. Hades initially refuses, but is swayed by Orpheus’ music and allows Eurydice to go back on 2 conditions. 1st, Orpheus cannot play music, and 2nd, Orpheus must walk in front of Eurydice and cannot look back until they’ve both reached the living world. 

Performances are Wednesday, February 26-Saturday March 1 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, March 2, at 2:00 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE but reservations are required. 

Email the box office - boxoffice@smcm.edu - to make your reservations now! 

Reach out to alsteiger@smcm.edu with any questions.