As the dust settles from the hectic arrival of students on campus, a new season begins for the Dana Center. This season, as always, will offer a wide variety of shows including comedians, orchestras, and dance performances.

Besides performances by students, this year will include performances by satire group The Capitol Steps, alluring tumbling feats by the Shanghai National Acrobats, along with many other new performances and returning favorites, such as the Canadian folk music group Le Vent Du Nord.

The Capitol Steps is a political satire group who provide hilarious commentary during any election, and this election cycle has surely given them plenty of material. The group continually provides a fresh perspective of the political information we see on the news every day.

The Shanghai National Acrobats travel and perform their juggling, contortionist acts and acrobatics in over 30 countries. The group of 20 young men and women has amazed audiences for over 50 years. The show promises to be a highlight of the Dana Center’s season.

Events like these are enriching experiences for students as well as general audiences.

Brendan Mahoney, a participant in the Abbey Players as well as a student of the expanding music program, says that “The incredibly talented faculty at the Dana Center is an invaluable resource to students studying anything from vocal performance to music theory.”

In regard to his time in the venue on campus, Mahoney said “I’ve greatly enjoyed my studies in music and my time with the Abbey Players. I’m very grateful to have the Dana Center on campus.”

The new school year also carries the Anselmian Abbey Players into Season 68. The Abbey Players will present multiple shows over the course of the year, including the ever popular Family Weekend Show. This show is a favorite on campus, providing something entertaining for the whole family during their visit.

This year’s Family Weekend show, Seize the Day, written by St. A’s junior Jen Cardarelli, promises the same upbeat fun to which audiences are accustomed. Each Family Weekend show features parodies of popular music. This year’s show will feature such numbers as “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer, “Part of Your World” from the Little Mermaid and “I’m a Believer” by Neil Diamond. Performances will be Oct. 21 and 22.

Other major shows presented by the Abbey Players this year will include the fall play, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, a moving sequel to the well-known Laramie Project, which was performed by the Abbey Players in 2012.

The two plays address the story of Matthew Shepard, a gay teen from Wyoming who was beaten and left to die in 1998. The Laramie Project is built upon interviews with townspeople about the event immediately following, while 10 Years Later returns to the town after a decade to observe the changes that followed the horrific event.

The One Act Play Festival in the first week of February brings with it a more varied night of theatre. The festival includes three shows in one night, often including one student written work. Because of the shortened rehearsal period, the festival is a good way for students outside of the Abbey Players, too busy to participate in a major show, to get involved.

In the spring, the Abbey Players will present their rendition of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a musical which involves the audience to complete the story left unfinished by Charles Dickens. The spring musical is always a crowd favorite and a satisfying end to the season. Past seasons have included iconic shows such as last year’s Chicago as well as shows such as Bye Bye Birdie and Into the Woods.

The Dana Center has been an asset to students for many years. Senior Devin Kelley says, “It’s so cool that students have access to all the brilliant acts that come right to our campus, and sometimes for free!”

For a calendar of events or to purchase tickets, go to the Dana Center website.