By Hannah Wolke, Newswire Intern
This year’s student showcase at Xavier proved to be an exceptional display of talent, creativity and hard work. Featuring a series of performances that spanned across various disciplines of theater, the showcase included a choreography workshop, an original student-directed play titled “Janitor’s Closet” and a unique production of Jean-Paul Sartre’s play, “No Exit”—all directed by students. The student showcase was located in the Gallagher Student Center (GSC) in the Studio Theatre.
The first highlight of the event was the choreography workshop, in which students explored the language of movement as a form of storytelling. This experimental piece blended dance, physical theater and contemporary movement. Under the guidance of student choreographers, participants collaborated to create a sequence that explored themes of isolation, connection and the human condition. The performance offered the audience a raw glimpse into how students use the body to communicate complex emotions and ideas.
The eight dances were not only demonstrations of physical ability, but also reflections on how movement can be an integral part of theatrical storytelling. The audience was captivated by the innovative approach to choreography, where each movement felt deliberate yet open-ended, inviting viewers to interpret the work in their own way. It was a testament to the students’ willingness to push boundaries and experiment with form.
Unfortunately, the Choreography Workshop is sold out for next weekend, but there are two more incredible shows you can still order tickets for next weekend.
Another show that headlined Xavier Theatre’s showcase is “No Exit,” Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential classic, directed by Erin Bonham. The play, which presents three characters trapped in a room for eternity, explores themes of self-deception, accountability and the hellish nature of human relationships. If you liked the show “The Good Place,” you’ll love this play. The student direction infused the piece with a fresh intensity, giving it fun, new details while staying true to the play’s philosophical core.
Set against a cracking brick wall and sliding door leading to hell, the production’s strength lies in its character-driven performances. The actors, each portraying complex, morally— ambiguous individuals, brought Sartre’s existential themes to life with nuance and depth.
What stood out most was how the students handled the weight of Sartre’s ideas, making them as humorous as they could while also maintaining the relatability for a modern audience. The work was a testament to their ability to take a well-known play and breathe new life into it by offering a perspective that felt both timeless and timely. There is still availability to see next weekend’s performance.
Lastly, “Janitor’s Closet” was a completely original play written, directed and performed by students. This show tells the stories of three private school kids who experience the troubles and trials of being a teenager in modern-day, showcasing a lot of content related to queer identity and breaking teenage stereotypes.
Senior theatre education major and author of the play Reece Niederhausen took tedious time out of their years at college to bring “Janitor’s Closet” to life.
“Janitor’s Closet was a show I began writing my sophomore year of college to really try and encapsulate my feelings of what it felt like to go through my high school experience, always hiding some semblance of myself,” Nierhausen said.
“I think every person who feels alone in high school has some sort of hideout where they go when they just want to be alone. This show begs the question: What happens when you outgrow your hideout? Who helps you out of it?” Niederhausen said. “This show has been so healing for me as a playwright, and I hope it resonated with audiences in a very similar way.”
“Janitor’s Closet” only has three cast members and centers around an unplanned teenage pregnancy.
“Working on a world premiere as a first-time stage manager was both enthralling and an incredible challenge. I’m grateful to have worked on a story about LGBTQ+ love and expression, along with a woman’s right to choose. Especially considering our current political climate, these stories are not just important to tell but imperative to continuing work towards equality and inclusive representation,” Sophomore theatre education major and stage manager for “Janitor’s Closet” Hannah Barbee said.
If you want a chance to see any of these shows next weekend, there are still tickets available as of 11/19 for “No Exit” next Friday, and “Janitor’s Closet” still has tickets for Thursday and Saturday. All three shows start at 7p.m. with the exception of the Choreography Workshop, which is sold out.