MSU theater students rehearse in preparation for their upcoming show, Sept. 26. “Hope and Gravity” opening night is Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at Fain Fine Arts Theater. (Sam Difiore)

“Hope and Gravity” by Michael Hollinger revolves around the interconnected lives of people, traveling back and forth through time. It begins and ends in a simple elevator. Throughout the story, the characters experience love, connection and grief. As the play moves both forward and backward in time, the audience peels back the layers and learns how the characters grew into who they have become.

Theater senior Davis Scobee, who plays Douglas and Marty, said the audience has to piece together different elements of the show as it progresses.

“The theme of the puzzle is very prevalent. This show does not happen in chronological order and it’s pretty easy to pick up on that, but the audience also has to put together that puzzle of when did things happen and where are things now,” Scobee said.

While all the characters may not know it, they are all connected to one another. From meeting in an elevator, to meeting at the dentist, “Hope and Gravity” explores those connections and how the characters allow themselves to grow. 

“When you pay attention and you pick up on those subtle queues, and you start piecing it together in your brain how this character knows this one, and this one knows that one, and it all comes full circle in the end,” said Savannah Lira,  theater freshman, who plays Jill.

Theatre senior Rebekah Gardner, in the role of Barb, and theater junior Jay Phillips, in the role of Steve, embrace during a rehearsal, Sept. 26. (Sam Difiore)

In the early stages, it’s the crew’s work that helps the scenes unfold and come together. From costumes and sets, to sound and lighting, a variety of people come together to combine their ideas and their art to create something unique for the audience to enjoy.

“It’s been really, pardon the term, really interconnected in a way,” said Sunny Scabora, theater senior, and sound designer for the show. “Every single time I put a sound in, we’d do a meeting and immediately talk about it and make sure it was what it needed to be.”

“The set is very unique in its abstract nature, in the references that are used to create it,” said Scobee. “It just piles onto this show’s uniqueness at MSU.”

Each aspect of the show takes the audience on a journey of the human experience. While there are comical moments, there are also moments of solemn. 

Luke Craddock, theater senior and director for the show, said, “There are those moments where you sit there and you’re like, wow. That resonates with me and that suffering is real.”

Theater junior Brayden Young, in the role of Peter/Hal, and theater sophomore Allie Lawrence, in the role of Tanya/Nan, rehearse on stage, Sep. 26. The play aims to convey how the characters’ growth and development unfold. (Sam Difiore)

Lira said it takes a group effort to make the scenes feel authentic and real which has been an enjoyable experience for her as an actress.

“It really was a project that I feel like we all worked towards,” Lira said.

After working out all the details and working together for four weeks, the cast and crew is ready for the public to see their work. 

“The language of this script is so intricate and so beautiful that if you really listen to the dialogue, you catch so many things and so many beautiful connections. Just the connections through the characters and the language ties it all together,” said Craddock.

“It’s something different than the theater has done in a long time. So I think it’ll be something new for everyone that has already gotten used to MSU theater,” Scabora said.

Hope and Gravity will open October 5th at 7:30 pm and run until October 9th at 2:30 pm. Tickets are available now at msufineartstickets.universitytickets.com

Theater junior, Jay Phillips, who plays Steve and theater freshman, Savannah Lira, who plays Jill rehearse before opening night, Sept. 26. Michael Hollinger authored “Hope and Gravity.” The narrative’s language intricately weaves connections throughout the entire play. (Sam Difiore)