By Mari Sato
The theater can be an intimidating space. If, like me, you aren’t a theater buff, it can be hard to determine what kind of show you would enjoy. But whether you’re drawn to the poetic, the provocative, or the unexpected, SMU Theatre’s Spring Repertory has something to match your energy. The three shows this semester are “John Proctor is the Villain,” “Everybody,” and “In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings.” Through conversations with the students acting and directing this semester’s shows, I’ve put together a guide to help you match your vibe with the show you would most likely enjoy. All shows will be in the Greer Garson Theater, and student tickets are $12. Tickets can be bought at the door or through this link. If you haven’t had the chance to catch an SMU Theatre production yet, consider this your sign.
John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belfl
Opening April 24
“John Proctor is the Villain” takes place in a rural Georgia high school, teens study “The Crucible” while navigating love, drama, and self-discovery in a pop music-fueled coming-of-age comedy. This show will match your vibe if you’re a psychology or fashion media major. Dakota Rose, junior theater studies major and performer in the show, says “this show speaks to so many. If you ever went against what was normal for what was right, you have to see this show.” You probably have an obsession with Jane Austen and binge-watch The Sex Lives of College Girls. Aesthetically you lean into the clean girl look and only get your nails painted bubble bath or funny bunny. You probably listen to Taylor Swift, Lorde, Billie Eilish, or Girl in Red to cope with that toxic situationship you’re still in with your ex.
Everybody by Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins
Opening April 25
“Everybody” is for the esoterics among us. A modern riff on “Everyman,” a fifteenth-century play, “Everybody” works on a lottery system, and roles are chosen at random for each performance as the characters journey through the meaning of life. This is the show for you if you read self-help books, journal a lot, and get more than a few existential memes on your page. Abi Brittle, a senior theater studies major and director of the show, says you’ll like this performance if you are “someone who’s self-aware and ponders what happens after you die.” If you are a psychology, philosophy, or religious studies major, this show is right up your alley. You don’t really have a favorite music genre because you switch up your vibe with every quarter-life crisis. But you always find yourself coming back to Kendrick Lamar, CAKE, and Arctic Monkeys. For those who appreciate blunt humor wrapped in big questions and dreamscapes that leave you spiraling, “Everybody” is a must-see.
In Arabia We’d All Be Kings
Opening April 26
If you’re drawn to raw, complex stories with plenty of emotional depth, this show is for you. Set in a Times Square bar, this play follows a cast of outcasts, ex-cons, addicts, drifters, and dreamers as they confront traumas and chase fleeting hopes. You’ll like this show if you’re a sociology or creative writing major. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill probably has a permanent spot in your playlist with some Tupac, MF DOOM, and the occasional dramatic sweep of Duke Ellington when you’re in a sentimental mood. You probably love going out and can down in a club, rooftop lounge, or dive bar. It doesn’t really matter where you are because you love watching people, catching snippets of conversation, or imagining their backstories. Your go-to drink is a beer or margarita, and no night feels complete without some late-night tacos from Torchy’s or reminding your friends that drunk cigs don’t count.
