26.2 Miles is a play unlike any other, and for a good reason: students created the show from scratch. Over the course of the winter term, students crafted scenes and characters, put together costumes and props, and designed lightning and staging in an effort to immerse audiences in the world of the Boston Marathon.
“26.2 Miles” is a beautiful piece that describes the story of the Boston Marathon over the course of many years. It’s a show filled with humor, great storytelling, and a lot of interesting topics.
Owen Walton '27, Stage Manager
For students making their winter play debut, rehearsals for 26.2 Miles were unlike anything they had experienced before. “I was nervous at first,” says actor Abigail Louissaint ’28. “But I realized the process involved a lot of improvisation; it was really cool.”
The first phase of the rehearsal process saw Director Jesse Garlick guiding students through freeform discussions and exercises focused on bringing stories of the Boston Marathon to the stage. Students created scenes in response to emotional prompts like “How would you feel at the finish line?” and staging challenges such as imagining a sequence unfolding in slow motion. These scenes were recorded, refined, and workshopped—some ultimately making their way into the final script.
Students kept their work grounded in reality by hearing from speakers connected to the Boston Marathon. Upper School Science Teacher Dr. Alison Livingston spoke about her history with running, including how injury and recovery shaped her experiences with the marathon. Students also heard from Upper School Science Teacher Matt Micari, who shared his experiences volunteering and running. These stories challenged the group to expand the play’s narrative to include multiple perspectives.
“Mr. Micari and Dr. Livingston had a lot of contrasting answers,” mentions actor Kiernan Collins ’27. “So we made a sketch that highlights that.”
Compared to other shows, performing something I had a part in creating feels a lot more vulnerable. You’re showing [the audience] something you created yourself; you’re thinking a lot more about your own perspective while performing.
Kiernan Collins '27, Actor
With the script finalized, the rehearsal process shifted toward a more traditional approach to theater. Actors turned their attention to rehearsing and blocking, while technicians began planning how to light and stage the Rogers Room. Working on a tight timeline, students were challenged to draw on their earlier improv work to enrich the characters and scenes they would ultimately bring to life.
Performances of 26.2 Miles are on Thursday, January 22, Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24 at 7 p.m. in the Rogers Room. Tickets are available for purchase here.