UGA Theatre’s New Season Kicks Off with “Constellations”
This Thursday marks the start of UGA Theatre’s 2026-2027 season with the opening night of “Constellations” at the Cellar Theatre. The play will run until October 4, offering eight performances in Athens. Tickets are available for purchase on UGATheatre.com.
Written by renowned British playwright Nick Payne, “Constellations” explores the profound impact of small changes through a non-linear narrative filled with emotional depth. The play is designed for mature audiences due to its intense themes and complex structure.
Featuring only two characters, who remain on stage for the duration of the performance, “Constellations” weaves through various realities as the characters explore themes of life, love, and hope. Sophomore Jacob Arkin takes on the role of Malcolm, describing the experience as “emotionally exhausting” due to the show’s heavy subject matter. “There’s a lot of trauma in this show, so it’s hard to live through that over and over and over and over again every night,” Arkin shared.
Junior Samara McKnight plays Rory and expresses a hope that audiences will leave with a renewed appreciation for their own lives. “I just want people to look to the person next to them and be like, ‘Wow I’m so happy that we are not going through this and I can be here with you in this universe,'” McKnight said.
The production is directed by UGA alum Katie Chambers, who also serves as the associate artistic director at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. Chambers reflects on her own college experiences working with professional directors and is enthusiastic about providing similar opportunities to current students. “It’s really exciting to be on the other side of that and offer those opportunities back to the students now,” Chambers said.
Following the Athens performances, “Constellations” will be staged for four additional shows at the Aurora Theatre, an opportunity that excites Arkin as he continues to develop his acting career. “I’m really enjoying getting to grow my skills as an actor and try something I don’t normally get to do,” Arkin remarked, highlighting the value of building connections with professional venues like the Aurora.
Despite the challenging material, the cast has found ways to bond and separate their roles from real life. McKnight shared an instance after a particularly intense rehearsal where the cast needed to “tap out” to avoid carrying the emotional weight of their characters. “Me and (co-star Dyllon Glaze) were like ‘Wow, I’ve got to watch an episode of Bluey.’ It’s very heavy material,” McKnight noted.
