Notre Dame Film, Television, and Theatre Presents STUPID HUMANS

Notre Dame's Department of Film, Television, and Theatre (FTT) announces Stupid Humans, a new musical by Notre Dame junior Jorge "Jay" Rivera-Herrans, in the Philbin Studio Theatre at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, February 21 through March 3.

A celebration of risk-taking and the power of persistence, Stupid Humans centers on a med school dropout named Indigo who defies his father and hops a train to L.A. with dreams of becoming a famous singer. Rivera-Herrans, who wrote the book, lyrics, and music, will also play the leading role.

"Writers are often told to 'write what you know,'" says FTT's Director of Theatre, Kevin Dreyer. "Jay has taken this to heart, writing about what every young person faces - the struggle between external pressures and deeply felt aspirations."

FTT's head of musical theatre, Matt Hawkins, will serve as director and choreographer. Hawkins and Rivera-Herrans have collaborated on the development process for nearly 18 months, including a semester-long workshop with FTT students as part of a new musical theatre lab course.

"It's been such an exciting opportunity to develop and showcase new student work," says Hawkins, "and the lab class helped to facilitate a high level of student leadership on the project." Although the costumes, lighting, and set will be designed by FTT faculty designers, students fill the roles of music director, associate director, associate choreographer, creative producer, and stage manager, among others.