The Pavilion, by playwright Craig Wright, is a beloved old lakeside building, is the location of Peter’s 20^th high-school class reunion. Slated for destruction immediately after the event, this monument could hardly be a more obvious symbol of the folly of trying to hold on to the past. The show’s mysterious narrator sets the scene by taking us all the way back to the beginning of the universe, summing up eons of cosmic events that finally gave rise to this moment in Peter’s life. The moment he returns home hoping for another chance at a life with Kari, the girlfriend he ditched after senior year and hasn’t seen since. Peter regards everything that stands in the way as minor obstacles the universe has thrown in his path. In fact, the universe, embodied by the narrator, plays every other member of the class of 2001 that Peter and Kari encounter.

Sam Houston, we’re especially proud to produce a series of student directed shows as part of our main season. The Directors’ Debut Series is a barebones approach to theatre which allows the student to hone their directing skills by telling the story as set down by the playwright through analysis and character creation with actors. Though minimally supported in the area of technical theatre and design, these productions are beautiful, imaginative and powerful. Student director faculty advisor, Patrick Pearson, Assistant Professor of Theatre says, “The Directors’ Debut series gives students with strong potential as directors the opportunity to find their voice and build their aesthetic as artists. Especially given the restrictions Covid has placed up productions this season, these talented student directors have met and exceeded every challenge thrown their way, exploring plays that deal with love, loss, potential, and overall human condition.” The first of this spring’s Directors’ Debut Series will be presented via online live-streaming by Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre. The Pavilion is directed by senior theatre major, Tyler Mahler and runs March 24, 26 and 27 at 7:30pm.

Click here for Production Program

and watch our Director Interview below.