Capstone Thesis Production ‘Dog Act’ Runs March 16-25

Inside of the MSU Auditorium, checkered floors, big lights, and wide windows

The 2018 MFA Acting candidates in MSU’s Department of Theatre present “Dog Act” as their capstone thesis production.

Written by American playwright Liz Duffy Adams and directed by Christina Traister, Associate Professor of Acting and Movement, “Dog Act” follows traveling performer Zetta Stone, her companion Dog, and her diverse theatre troupe in this post-apocalyptic vaudeville as they journey through the wilderness of the former Northeast United States, heading toward a gig in China.

This year-long ensemble-based collaboration features graduate designs, along with direction, choreography, and vocal coaching by cast members.

“This is a show about relationships and community in the face of dark and dangerous times,” said Gregory Hunter, who plays Dog in the show, “It deals with the many different layers and types of relationships, and how they affect the ways in which we could survive in a post-apocalyptic world.” 

image of woman and man in costume
Karen Vance as Zetta Stone and her companion Dog, played by Gregory Hunter.   

The show features a wide variety of theatre devices, from the Greeks all the way to present day. “It’s fun and offers a wonderful plethora of things to research,” said Karen Vance, who plays Zetta Stone.

“Not to mention, it’s a wonderful opportunity to work with just my classmates for our last hoorah.”

Performances take place March 16-25 in the Arena Theatre at MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts.

A director pre-show discussion is set for Sunday, March 18, at 1:15 p.m. And on Thursday, March 22, a post-show discussion will follow the 7:30 p.m. performance.

General admission is $15; seniors and faculty are $13; and students $10.

To purchase tickets and for more information, visit the Wharton Center website.

Originally published on MSUToday