With Family Weekend fast approaching at Saint Anselm College, it is about time to look at one of the weekend’s main events: Seize the Day. The play, which will debut at 8 p.m. on Oct. 21, is presented by the Saint Anselm Abbey Players.

Founded in 1949, the Abbey Players have been an integral part of Saint Anselm for the past 68 years. Gradually adding new events and plays to their repertoire, the Abbey Players soon made the Family Weekend show one of their traditions.

This year’s production details the lives of six fictional seniors at Saint Anselm, told through fond memories of their time in college. These flashbacks, shown in the style of vignettes, offer a variety of college experiences, from receiving acceptance letters to studying for finals. The audience will follow these six seniors through the triumphs and challenges, from making new friends to dealing with roommate troubles.

Seize the Day features an array of songs such as “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Living on a Prayer,” as well as some renditions of Disney classics like “Part of Your World” and “Circle of Life.”

“This show relates to me personally more than any show I’ve been in,” says Rose Garron ’17, who plays Kat, one of the six seniors that the play follows. As a senior herself, Garron freely admits that the performance really hits close to home.

The play’s creative team includes writer and director Jen Cardarelli, co-choreographers Cara McKenzie and Elise Rivera, co-music directors Steph Conti and Elise Rivera, and producer Natasha Antkowiak. Written, directed, choreographed, and produced by students, one can imagine why Seize the Day is so relatable. Basing the play on their own experiences should ensure that there’s something to which students of all classes can connect.

Garron says that Seize the Day taught her that even though this is her last year at Saint Anselm, it doesn’t mean that the adventure is over. She advises, “We need to enjoy every opportunity this school has given us, and try not to think of it as a ‘last time.’”

Seize the Day resonates for freshmen as well. According to Garron, the show “offers a wonderful window into what is to come of their time here at Saint Anselm College.” She believes the play may provide some insight for incoming students as to what they can expect in the next four years. Additionally, these six portrayals of college life will give the visiting families an idea as to what they can look forward to for their child or sibling, as well as how they can help in troubling times.

In order to see what Anselmian life is all about, see Seize the Day Oct. 21-23 in the Dana Center. For a full schedule, visit their website.