Tickets on Sale Now for ‘The Excavation of Mary Anning’
A larger-than-life imagining of the life of the famous fossil hunter and paleontologist—with puppets!
The Theatre Program at Saint Mary’s College is proud to present our upcoming mainstage production, The Excavation of Mary Anning. Written by Ian August and directed by Shannon R. Davis, this piece is a larger-than-life imagining of the life of famous fossil hunter and paleontologist Mary Anning.
Amidst the weather-beaten cliffs of southern England, Mary Anning hunts for fossils. Armed with her determination, her lucky hammer, and her dog, Tray, Anning uncovers secrets that redefine science, religion, and philosophy. But those discoveries are buried beneath the rubble while the stars of her male counterparts grow ever brighter.
The Excavation of Mary Anning is a historical fantasia following one woman’s quest to reclaim her legacy in a society that refuses to acknowledge her worth. This is also a production that highlights the work of Saint Mary's exceptional students in a period piece with fun, anachronistic absurdity, and puppets!
“We’re so excited to share this fantasia with you, rooted in history, sprinkled with silliness.”
—Director Shannon R. Davis
The play highlights themes of legacy, sexism, perception, and reclaiming narrative. The production boasts caricatures given voice by a luminous cast: Ka’Nayah Landers-Daniels (Mary Anning), Roya Amirsheybani (Elizabeth Philpot), Chloë Parmelee-Laporte (Henry de la Beche & Movement Captain), Erin Brady (Tray the Dog), Bruno (Reverend Buckland), Connor McGilvray (Molly Anning), Amber Spinetta (Charlotte Murchison), Alejandro Castellon (Roderick Murchison), Lucy Bikahi (Georges Cuvier), Kate Conti (Andre de Luc), Nathan Majeed ( Greenough), Natalie Seidel (Werner), Lance Fiss (Parkinson), Aidan Kiernan (Babington), Molly Baziuk (Sedgwick), and puppeteering, voicework, and understudying by Anya Tang, Kale Manibusan, Bianca Langois, Stephanie Boustani, Gaby Canedo, Aubrey Bonham, and Amy Unruh.
Theatre Professor Shannon R. Davis says, “The cast has their DNA all over this piece. They are helping puppeteer, moving sets, they are choreographing movement, they are holistically creating the show you will see. We’re building a truly absurd, larger-than-life, ensemble-driven show. We’re so excited to share this fantasia with you, rooted in history, sprinkled with silliness.”
Saint Mary's students involved in the creative and production teams are: Erin Colville (assistant director), Carolyn Gersten (stage manager), Nox Lassett-Egbert (assistant stage manager), Graycie Duncan-Horning (assistant stage manager), and Archer La Salle & Sienna Perez (props supervisors).
Faculty, staff, and guest artists involved in the creative and production teams include James Ard (Sound Designer and Adjunct Faculty), Ashley Baumgartner (Dramaturg and Graphic Designer), Matthew Cohen (Lighting Designer and Production Manager), Shannon R. Davis (Director and Faculty Producer), Beckett Finn (Technical Director), Ixtlan Flores (Puppet Designer and Puppet Master), Larissa Kelloway (Voice & Dialect Coach), Ashley Renee (Costume Designer), and Deanna Zibello (Scenic Designer and Theatre Program Director).
Tickets & Times for November 1–3, 8–10
Please note: The program, which includes the full list of invaluable cast and crew, will be posted on stmarys-ca.edu/mary-anning by Oct. 31.
All performances will be performed in LeFevre Theatre, Friday through Sunday, November 1–3 and November 8–10. Tickets are $10–20 and can be ordered online: https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/mary-anning
Prospective SMC students for Fall ’25: Look for the form on the above link for a FREE ticket.
Saint Mary's students in Seminar 250, 304, 327, 350 & 374: Look for the form on the above link for discounted tickets.
ADA/Info: (925) 631-4670
Performances:
Friday, November 1 | 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 2 | 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 3 | 2 p.m. (Inclusive/COVID-safe matinee where the audience will mask. Please bring your own COVID mask that covers your mouth and nose.)
Friday, November 8 | 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 9 | 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 10 | 2 p.m.
Applications for Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Scholarships
Applications for Saint Mary’s College Performing Arts Scholarships ($5,000/year for each of four years) are due by November 15, or until audition slots fill up. Applications are also open for a four-year, full-ride scholarship to an East Bay student who identifies as Black or of African descent. These scholarships are for incoming first-year students (Fall ’25) who plan to major or minor in Dance, Music, Performance Theatre or Design & Technical Theatre. Applicants must first apply Early Action to the university before applying for the scholarships.
See stmarys-ca.edu/performing-arts/scholarships for more information.
Story updated October 3, 2024 at 5 p.m.
