Yale Daily News

An undergraduate thesis production of “Orlando” — American playwright Sarah Ruhl’s theatrical adaptation of the Virginia Woolf novel — will premier Nov. 6. 

“Orlando,” the senior thesis of Thomas Kannam ’26 and Gia George-Burgher ’26, will be the first thesis production of the fall semester. The play chronicles the life of the titular character Orlando. The fictional biography was originally written in 1928 by Woolf and adapted for the stage by Ruhl in 2010. 

“Orlando spans five centuries and it follows the titular character Orlando on their journey of self-discovery and trying to answer the question of ‘Who am I?’” director AJ Walker ’26 said.

According to Walker, Kannam and George-Burgher picked the show for their thesis because it explores gender performance and the embodiment of poetic language. 

Orlando — played by Kannam — transforms from a man to a woman halfway through the play. To fully embody the changing identity of Orlando, Kannam relies on physicality. Everything from the way they gesture to the way they walk reflects the gender of Orlando, Walker said. 

The director emphasized Kannam’s intimate approach to playing Orlando, drawing on their own identity to portray the character and create a performance that feels truthful and authentic. 

Angelica Peruzzi ’27, who is co-producing the show with Crawford Arnow ’27, said that costumes are incredibly important to Kannam’s embodiment of Orlando because they act as signifiers of the time period and incorporate details on the history of drag. 

This production of “Orlando” contains original music by Lucas Oland ’27 and choreography by Sakura Grashow ’28, featuring dance breaks throughout the performance.

Kannam’s and George-Burgher’s interpretation of the play is also unique in its use of ensemble.

While Kannam plays a single character, George-Burgher plays several characters as the chorus leader — a role she created. 

“Gia’s thesis is focused on the ‘Black-ground’ and the idea that a lot of times Black actors fall into the background in productions,” Peruzzi said. 

As chorus leader, George-Burgher embodies different characters throughout the show, which — according to the director — requires a more fluid approach than playing a singular role.

Julia Weston ’28 is one of the six members of the chorus. Chorus members sometimes act as a unit or take on the role of minor characters in certain scenes. Although the chorus functions as a collective, each member chooses an individual approach to their performance. 

“We’re all defined by our relationship to Orlando and his story,” Weston said. Weston said her character is distinct in the sense that she is “very curious to learn about Orlando. I think there is an endearing excitement to her.” 

According to Weston, there is a certain allure to being in an ensemble. The actors support each other as part of a collective and as individuals. 

“This is definitely one of the most joyous, laughter-filled rehearsal-rooms that I’ve been a part of,” Weston said. “That joy and that care definitely seeps into our work.”

Weston described being unfamiliar with dancing before joining the cast of “Orlando.” Throughout the rehearsal process, she said she has been learning how she can integrate herself and her character into the movement. 

Walker said that “Orlando” is poignant today because it inspires “thinking about how the culture and the politics of the time affects our sense of self, as well as how we are influenced and changed by the people around us.” He noted that this show was a full-circle moment for him, since he has worked with Kannam and George-Burgher in the theater since his first year at Yale. 

“Thomas and Gia have definitely shaped my personal artistic journey,” he said.

“Orlando” will run from Nov. 6 to Nov. 8 at the blackbox theater in 53 Wall St.