The Jellyfish Show, next in line in Black Box Productions’ 2025-26 season
- Brianna Lyttle
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
From Jan. 22 to Jan. 24, Black Box Productions’ season will presentThe Jellyfish Show, written and directed by STU alum Samuel Crowell. The show explores themes of human connection and chosen family, comparison and finding peace in oneself.
What set The Jellyfish Show apart from others in its lineup was its devised theatre process, inviting the actors in the production to build the story through collaboration.
The story follows a group of friends, one of whom writes a play script based on their lives, primarily focusing on three road trips – one in Nova Scotia, one in PEI and one in New Brunswick.
Through performing the show, the group finds catharsis in working through feelings and revelations that come up.
Maya Buchanan, who plays Elliot, first heard of the show during season auditions for Black Box Productions. Crowell reached out to Buchanan after seeing her act in STU Musical Theatre’s 2025 production of Groundhog Day: The Musical.
“I was just really excited to jump into it and begin deconstructing these characters and putting the story to life,” Buchanan said.
The rehearsal process involved explorations of movement, with the actors creating vignettes. As these pieces were solidified, some were incorporated into the show’s choreography, which focused on creative movement rather than full dance numbers.
Some rehearsals involved listening to and feeling music, with some musical moments being worked in.
The actors also discussed character backstories, solidifying the timeline of the story’s events and the friend group dynamics. As well, each actor picked the pronouns for their character, with Crowell purposely writing the script to allow for fluid gender identities.
“[The show] helped me understand the relationships between people, in general, and how nothing’s exactly black and white,” said Buchanan.
Buchanan described her character, Elliot, as outgoing, energetic and goofy, acting as the group’s comedic relief and optimist. In the play, Elliot brings with them a puppet named Jimmy, an experience that brought a unique challenge for Buchanan, having never performed with a puppet before.
“It does feel like I’m wearing five mittens,” she said, adding that she is still getting used to puppeting Jimmy’s arms.
As The Jellyfish Show heads into tech week rehearsals, Buchanan feels “everything” in terms of emotions, having to balance Jellyfish with STU Musical Theatre’s upcoming production of Pippin next month, in which she plays the title character.
In terms of workload, Buchanan said she has “never done anything this heavy in [her] life,” but she is still excited.
“I’m vibrating right now in my seat,” she said.
Buchanan hopes that audience members take away with them the importance of connection with their friends.
“I hope that this show reminds people how important their relationships with their friends are and can use this as a reminder that no matter how tough things get, there will be people who care about you, who will be there for you.”