USC School of Dramatic Arts Stages The Beggar’s Opera
The masters cohort production runs at the Sanctuary Theatre in Los Angeles through November 1.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Dance
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The USC School of Dramatic Arts is currently presenting John Gay's The Beggar's Opera at the Sanctuary Theatre. This production features the school's third-year masters' cohort and serves as a major showcase for the students.
Why it matters
The production serves as a pointed critique of leadership while encouraging the audience to reflect on modern societal and class structures. It highlights the movement prowess of the graduate students involved in the program.
The production is one of two final projects for the current masters cohort. The work is set against an 18th-century backdrop, utilizing visual aesthetics inspired by the drawings of William Hogarth.
The players
Stephanie Shroyer
She is the director and choreographer for the current production of The Beggar's Opera.
USC School of Dramatic Arts
This is a prominent university drama department located in Los Angeles that trains graduate and undergraduate students.
John Gay
He is the 18th-century English poet and dramatist who originally wrote The Beggar's Opera.
William Hogarth
He was an 18th-century English painter and printmaker whose social commentary drawings influenced the show's aesthetic.
The details
Director and choreographer Stephanie Shroyer selected the material specifically to challenge the physical capabilities of the graduate students. Designers utilized intensive research into 18th-century inventions and materials to craft the visual experience.
Timeline
The production run concludes on November 1, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This production connects classic theatrical works with the 18th-century socio-political climate to address contemporary audience concerns. It reflects a broader trend of university programs using historical satire to highlight modern class systems.
The production is held at the Sanctuary Theatre in Los Angeles. Attendees should plan to see the performance before the final show concludes on November 1.
The takeaway
This production demonstrates how traditional texts can serve as vehicles for modern social critique through movement and design. Students of theatre can look to such projects as examples of how historical visual research informs contemporary staging choices.
Further reading
For more information on local performances, visit the Dance section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Trojan.
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