{"id":13326,"date":"2026-05-20T14:25:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T18:25:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saintpeters.edu\/news\/?p=13326"},"modified":"2026-05-20T14:55:35","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T18:55:35","slug":"live-theatre-returns-to-saint-peters-university-with-jonathan-larsons-rent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saintpeters.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/20\/live-theatre-returns-to-saint-peters-university-with-jonathan-larsons-rent\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Theatre Returns to Saint Peter\u2019s University with Jonathan Larson\u2019s \u201cRent\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Viva la vie boheme!\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Following a nearly five-year-long hiatus, live theatre has returned to Saint Peter\u2019s University with a production of Rent, <\/i>a joint effort between Arts on Bergen and Argus Eyes, Saint Peter\u2019s student-run drama club.<\/p>\n

Roy Irving Theater was packed for two nearly-sold-out performances on May 1st and 2nd. Directed by University Director of Music Joseph Hill, the cast featured Jossiel Lopez-Hernandez \u201828 as videographer Mark Cohen, Andres Zuniga \u201826 as jaded rockstar Roger Davis, and Brookes Carrillo \u201828 as Roger\u2019s love interest, Mimi Marquez, plus more.<\/p>\n

The musical, set against the backdrop of New York City during the HIV\/AIDS crisis,\u00a0 follows impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive, create art and find love. The show ran for over 12 years on Broadway and features classics like \u201cSeasons of Love,\u201d \u201cTake Me or Leave Me\u201d and \u201cLa Vie Boheme.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are so many intangible things that students learn by being in a musical. Simple things. Be on time, know your stuff,\u201d says Hill. \u201cBut also, deeper truths about the human experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Live theatre had been a longstanding tradition at Saint Peter\u2019s; Argus Eyes performed classics like Urinetown<\/i>, Godspell<\/i>, and even Rent<\/i>. However, the pandemic arrived just before the group\u2019s March 2020 production of Hair<\/i>, cancelling the production altogether and disappointing the students who had worked hard to make it happen.<\/p>\n

When Joseph Hill arrived on campus in July 2022, he vowed to help performing arts on campus make a comeback. Prior to Rent<\/i>\u2019s auditions in November 2025, he searched high and low for actors, musicians and creative minds to come together for one shared mission: the love of the arts.<\/p>\n

One of those talents was Brookes Carillo \u201828, a sophomore majoring in business. Even though she enjoys singing, Rent was her first show. \u201cThroughout this process, I\u2019ve grown more confident, and it\u2019s given me a stronger sense of self. Like, \u2018I can do this!\u2019 And if I can do this, so can anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hill looks forward to two more productions next year. \u201cI think that the biggest message that I would like to send to the University community is that theatre and performing arts matter at Saint Peter\u2019s. I\u2019m definitely going to miss it when it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out some photos from the Saint Peter’s production of Rent<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Watch the Making of Rent<\/em> Documentary by Elektra Hanna ’26<\/strong><\/p>\n