A Heartbeat in the Darkness

Stirred by the COVID Pandemic, DP theatre students share their emotions and a message of hope through poetry, dance and text.

Heart of Darkness - DP Theater Production

In August, when the school doors opened, no one knew what to expect. We feared the unknown, worried about ourselves, friends, and family, and yet we still had hope for the future. The seed of an idea was planted. Could theater bring us together in the most daunting of times? 

Heart of Darkness - DP Theater Production

Upper School performing arts teacher, Colleen McEvoy, had her students brainstorm without knowing why. Words and ideas from the students about what they had experienced and were still experiencing this year were key. By playing around with the placement of these words and feelings, they became a script, and slowly a show took form. 

Once the DP theater students knew what their teacher had created, they devised an original piece that incorporated poetry, dance, and text highlighting their real feelings, fears, and hopes about the COVID Pandemic. Together they created a piece that demonstrates the “capacity humanity has to transcend physical connection” and that together we are stronger than we think.

By giving a voice to emotions there was a dream that it would also provide hope for the community, within CDS, and beyond. None of us is alone and together we can help each other and come out on the other side of this. 

Theater can save the world.  

This Friday, December 11 there will be a YouTube Live Premier of "A Heartbeat in the Darkness." Written and performed by the Carrollwood Day School DP Theatre students and faculty. Stay tuned for a link to view.

Heart of Darkness - DP Theater Production