This February, La MaMa Experimental Theater Club will present the world premiere of The First Line of Dante’s Inferno, a new play by Kirk Lynn, directed and co-produced by Professor of Professional Practice and Dramaturgy Concentration Head Christian Parker '98. Theatre alum Mary Alex Daniels '24 co-produces alongside Parker, and Theatre students Sam Grocock and Emily Griffiths will stage manage.
The First Line of Dante’s Inferno takes place in a state forest and follows main character Anna Espinoza on a quest to find her missing sister, Carol. With the addition of two park rangers, Craig and Bill, the play shifts between the three characters’ perspectives.
When asked about the project, Grocock said: "My work at Columbia has allowed me to discover the artistry in stage management. Most recently as the Production Stage Manager on Fairview, I developed a connection between my work in aiding the technical execution of the show with the acting on stage. It's this same concept for my role on The First Line of Dante's Inferno. In this play, the atmosphere of the woods is almost a character in itself. The lighting and sound are in conversation with the actors. In the booth, I'm also listening and responding to them; I'm never watching the show on autopilot."
The play will run at La Mama Experimental Theater Club February 5–22, 2026. Tickets are available here.
