Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT) announces Stupid Humans, a new musical by Notre Dame junior Jorge “Jay” Rivera-Herrans, in the Philbin Studio Theatre at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, February 21 through March 3.
A celebration of risk-taking and the power of persistence, Stupid Humans centers on a med school dropout named Indigo who defies his father and hops a train to L.A. with dreams of becoming a famous singer. Rivera-Herrans, who wrote the book, lyrics, and music, will also play the leading role.
“Writers are often told to ‘write what you know,’” says FTT’s Director of Theatre, Kevin Dreyer. “Jay has taken this to heart, writing about what every young person faces – the struggle between external pressures and deeply felt aspirations.”
FTT’s head of musical theatre, Matt Hawkins, will serve as director and choreographer. Hawkins and Rivera-Herrans have collaborated on the development process for nearly 18 months, including a semester-long workshop with FTT students as part of a new musical theatre lab course.
“It’s been such an exciting opportunity to develop and showcase new student work,” says Hawkins, “and the lab class helped to facilitate a high level of student leadership on the project.” Although the costumes, lighting, and set will be designed by FTT faculty designers, students fill the roles of music director, associate director, associate choreographer, creative producer, and stage manager, among others.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, February 21 – Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, February 27 – Saturday, March 2 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, February 24 and Sunday, March 3 at 2:30 pm
TICKETS
Student $7, Faculty/Staff/Senior (65+) $12, General $15. Additional discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets may be purchased online at http://performingarts.nd.edu, by phone at 574-631-2800, or in person at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center ticket office. Ticket office hours are Monday-Friday, 12:00-6:00 pm.
PARKING: Free parking is available daily after 5:00 pm in the Stayer Center parking lot, just north of the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center. Patrons may now receive free event parking at the Eddy Street Commons Parking Garage by bringing your event tickets and parking ticket to the DPAC Ticket Office to receive a pre-paid parking voucher.
An accessible lot for disabled patrons is available immediately adjacent to the center; a valid hangtag or license plate is required. There is a ten-minute parking zone on the north drive of the center for ticket pick-up; during inclement weather you are welcome to drop off guests in this area and proceed to parking.
Notre Dame’s Department of Film, Television, and Theatre seeks to inspire intellectual inquiry and nurture creativity. We offer both a scholarly and a creative context for the general liberal arts student at Notre Dame as well as those students seeking intensive preparation for advanced study in these fields. The hands-on nature of our curriculum, coupled with a very high degree of student-faculty interaction, provides students with a singular educational opportunity at a university known for its teaching excellence. The FTT performance season is a direct outgrowth of the department’s academic program and an integral component of our students’ artistic development.
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