Planets to Pebbles to Dust by the Class of Devised Theater and Collaboration 

The Arcadia Theater Program is trying something new this year with the addition of a fifth mainstage production in addition to their usual four. This production is different from the others, however, as it is the result of the Devised Theater and Collaboration class introduced in the Fall semester of 2025. Devised theater is a form of theater in which the entire cast is involved in the making of the show, including but not limited to writing, stage managing, acting, etc., and I myself am one of these collaborators. 

Taught by Adjunct Professor Rebecca Wright, the devised theatre class read Brecht’s Life of Galileo to pull inspiration for their piece, Planets to Pebbles to Dust. The play follows Galileo in the 1600s as he must choose whether or not to recant his scientific beliefs to protect his loved ones, who are receiving threats from the church due to his scientific beliefs. Mirroring this story is that of Joey Holland. Set in the modern day, Joey is an artsy queer teenager struggling to fight for what she believes in at her conservative high school. Showing us this tale are our narrators, the celestials, planetary beings that embody different themes and beliefs. I had the honor of portraying Neptune in the production. Neptune notably has traits of Poseidon and Pisces, of which the planet represents, meaning they control illusion, imagination, dreams and nightmares, and creativity. They walk a morally grey line, not always understood through their metaphors and poetic nature. They summon the show and demonstrate the two timelines for their fellow celestials, Venus and Uranus. 

This was a very impressive feat pulled off by the devised theatre class, with only one full week of rehearsal, including blocking, tech, and dress rehearsals, prior to opening for a five-show run the first week of classes. Their hard work does not go unnoticed!