W&L Presents ‘Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin’ Performances of the high school samurai tale run April 3-5.

By Emily Innes
March 19, 2024

The Department of Theater, Dance and Film Studies at Washington and Lee University is pleased to present “Begets: Fall of a High School Ronin.” Performances will take place in the Johnson Theatre in the Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts on April 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are required and available online or in person at the Lenfest Box Office.

Written by Qui Nguyen and published in 2016, this action-packed samurai tale follows Emi Edwards and her courageous effort to dethrone the shoguns of her high school’s social scene. After realizing her samurai skills, Emi and her friends unite to confront injustices all while facing the typical struggles of a high school student. As the high school’s cliques face their downfall, Emi rises to power and must try to keep her own desires for popularity and control at bay. An amalgamation of Japanese shogun and samurai and American high school culture, “Begets” is sure to please thrill-seeking audiences.

“Begets” is directed by Jemma Levy, associate professor of theater, who believed it was important to choose a play relatable to W&L students and members of the Rockbridge community.

“I felt this show was really going to speak to everybody,” Levy said. “I was really interested in doing something modern and immediate.”

The multimedia production required an impressive artistic and physical commitment from its participants. Students had the opportunity to work with Philadelphia-based fight director Steve Wei, who served as the primary visionary artist for the production. Wei shared their combat skills with students during the ten weeks of rehearsal for the show, choreographing the fight scenes and teaching students the techniques and skills needed to create them.

“This is going to be something different than what audiences have seen on our stage in the past,” Levy said. “Come for the fighting if nothing else! It’s going to be delightful.”

Order your tickets online today or call the Lenfest Center box office at 540-458-8000 for ticket purchase information. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, $14 for W&L faculty and staff and $8 for students.

For a full list of this season’s performances, visit the Lenfest Center’s website.

The Lenfest Center for the Arts, home of the Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies and the Department of Music and Department of Art and Art History is a multi-use facility designed and equipped to accommodate a broad spectrum of the performing arts, including theater, musical theater, opera and operetta, choral and band music, dance and performance art in one energizing complex.