A woman screamed in agony as she watched her husband turn into a rhinoceros on what should have been a regular day at work.
On Friday, Sept. 18, a group of Upper School (US) students saw the play “Rhinoceros” at the American Repertory Theater (ART) as a part of the Petropoulos Arts Scholar program. “Rhinoceros” was one of the last plays shown at the current location of the ART in Harvard Square before it moves to a new location in Allston in the spring.
The Petropoulos Program funds extracurricular arts experiences, including performances, museum visits and workshops for students interested in exploring or pursuing the performing and visual arts. The program was created in 1984 in honor of former US Ceramics Teacher John B. Petropoulos, who passed unexpectedly during his tenure.
Romanian-French playwright Eugène Ionesco wrote “Rhinoceros” in 1959. The play takes place in a small French town, in which residents one by one turn into rhinoceroses. Many people join the rhinoceroses out of peer pressure until only one man is left. Alone, he doubts himself before finally fighting to stay human until the end. Ionesco wrote “Rhinoceros” as an allegory for fascism.
Izzy Konstantopoulos ’28 attended the play because she had never participated in a Petropoulos event before.
“I really liked the play because it had weighty themes, but was still funny. I think the actors were good at bringing out the comedic side of the characters,” she said. “The play on paper sounds serious, but I found myself having a good time throughout it.”
Izzy said she plans on attending Petropoulos events at the new ART in the future.
“I don’t think the move will change that much about my experience. The play was what I enjoyed, not the location … I don’t think the theater makes the performance. If anything, a larger space will be beneficial for the actors.”
The ART’s rendition of “Rhinoceros” featured Emmy-winning cast members Tatiana Maslany, Paul Giamatti and John Turturro.
“What interested me were the play’s existential questions and its questions related to personal identity,” US English Teacher and Petropoulos Coordinator Allison Kornet said. “Specifically, Turturro’s line as the only human left, ‘What is my language if there is no one left who speaks it?’”
Ms. Kornet said the move will not affect the Petropoulos program.
“Being able to walk to the outing was fantastic. We’ll need transportation to future ART productions, but that’s not a big deal,” she said. “We did that for the Jacob Collier event, took a short school bus to the Museum of Science and back.”
Associate Director of Stewardship and Major Gifts at the ART Lisa Field-Coleman said the location change is for the better.
“The ART’s new location will hold one very large theater, a smaller theater, three studios, multiple rehearsal spaces and an outdoor space. Currently, there is only one theater room, and we have no rehearsal space. ‘Rhinoceros’ rehearsals were in New York City.”
Ms. Field-Coleman said she hopes the move won’t change viewership of the ART.
“Some people are very nostalgic about the ART. We’ve been in Harvard Square for a very, very long time, so people are very comfortable with where it is right now. But the new location is only a 15-minute walk away from the current one. We hope that the folks who love the ART will follow us across the bridge into Allston and really embrace the new and innovative work that we can create and produce in this more expansive space.”
The new location creates more opportunities for students, Ms. Field-Coleman said.
The ART is currently in a building owned by Harvard University, allowing performances to be held there, as well as student programs through the university. After the move, students will continue to have access to the ART in both locations.
“We are currently located in the heartbeat of Harvard University, so we are very close to a lot of student activity, making it very easy for students to come see our shows. By expanding to the new location, students will have access to this bigger establishment, as well as the current location. The ART is a part of Harvard University and has become a part of its cultural and educational side. We are more than just a theater that represents shows for people to see.”
The ART in Allston will officially open in the spring 2027. US students can expect to visit the ART with the Petropoulos Program.
