HWS News
26 March 2026 Orlando Brings a 500-Year Journey to Life at HWS Theatre
Closing the 2025–2026 season, Sarah Ruhl’s vibrant adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel blends humor, transformation and theatrical magic.
Directed by Professor of Theatre H. May, the 2025–2026 Hobart and William Smith Theatre season concludes with Orlando by Sarah Ruhl, adapted from the novel by Virginia Woolf. Ruhl’s imaginative take on Woolf’s iconic, gender-fluid tale presents a compelling feminist exploration of identity that shifts across time and space.
RJ Fangmann '27 and Grace Snook '25, MAT'26 practice in McDonald Theatre. Orlando runs April 9 -11 in McDonald Theatre.Tickets are pay-what-you-will (free for students) and should be reserved here. 
Audiences first encounter Orlando (played by RJ Fangmann ’27) in the court of Queen Elizabeth I and follow their extraordinary journey across centuries, culminating in a moment of revelation as Orlando completes a po em 500 years in the making, declaring, “I am about to understand…” A testament both to the liberatory power of the imagination and the elusive nature of identity, Ruhl retains much of Woolf’s evocative language while embracing the transformative power of the actor. Like any great adventure tale, Orlando’s journey is shaped by the myriad of characters with whom they interact. In keeping with the fluid nature of Orlando, all characters are played by a small ensemble of performers (played by Jo Grejda ’26, MJ MaKinster ’28 and Grace Snook ’25, MAT’26) who engage in ongoing shape shifting and adventure.
Orlando runs from Thursday, April 9 through Saturday, April 11 in McDonald Theatre of the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-will (free for students) and should be reserved here. Online ticket reservations close two hours before each performance. Remaining tickets will be available at the Box Office, one hour before each performance. Seating is General Admission.
The company also includes: Stage Manager: Helena Van Voorhis ’28; Assistant Stage Manager and Social Media Coordinator: Kalila Caringal ’27; Assistant Stage Managers: Caroline Frick ’28 and Sarah Painton ’29; Dramaturg: Tom Fahey ’27; Wardrobe Assistant and Make Up Design: Hannah Shulman ’29; Technical Director, Design of Scenic and Lighting: Ed Hallborg; Design of Sound: Kelly Walker; Design of Costumes: Katharine Tarkulich; and Assistant Technical Director: Eric Valko.
Photo at top: Grace Snook '25, MAT'26, Jo Grejda '26 and RJ Fangmann '27 rehearse in McDonald Theatre.
