A dark academia horror musical
Written by Mel Hornyak (book, lyrics) and Elliot Valentine (book, lyrics, and music)

The Story: Three queer students of color are nominated for the prestigious Phaethon Prize during their senior year at an elite university. As they each try to prove their worthiness to a school uninterested in their success, they exceed their physical, mental, and moral limits, with horrific results.

The Motivation: Using the trappings of dark academia to explore and critique the unique pressures on marginalized students to succeed in institutions not built for them.

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Production History

November 2022 – Thesis Production
The Lewis Center for the Arts
The Berlind Theatre at the McCarter
Directed by Georgina Escobar

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