‘LIGHTHOUSE’ showcases impact of student and alumni collaboration
Cast members (from left) Michaela Tucci ’25, Hailey Guptail ’27, Ella Douma ’26, Piper Kuehl ’26, and Sabe Dunlap ’25 at the end of LIGHTHOUSE. Photo by Isaac Kitange ’27 
Fiona Mundy ’26 originated the character Hotdish in LIGHTHOUSE. Photo by Isaac Kitange ’27 
Piper Kuehl ’26 originated the role of Church in LIGHTHOUSE. Photo by Isaac Kitange ’27 
Cast members (from left) Fiona Mundy ’26, Michaela Tucci ’25, Hailey Guptail ’27, Ella Douma ’26, Piper Kuehl ’26, and Sabe Dunlap ’25 at the end of LIGHTHOUSE. Photo by Isaac Kitange ’27
This spring the St. Olaf College community came together for the world premiere of LIGHTHOUSE, an alumni-written musical that gave students the rare chance to originate roles written by a fellow Ole.
LIGHTHOUSE, written by Abs Wilson ’21 and Veronica Mansour, is a six-women show about the lives of women in rural, conservative communities. LIGHTHOUSE was more than a world premiere — it was a collaboration that brought a talented Ole back to campus to mentor and inspire other Oles.
For Wilson, returning to St. Olaf for the premiere was especially impactful.
“It was so magical getting to see all the work the Ole actors put into our show — showcasing new work, especially new work that’s definitely still a work-in-progress, is super vulnerable,” says Wilson. “So it means a lot to return to a space that feels like home and see your work treated with such care and intention by such brilliant students!”
The student cast in turn appreciated the opportunity to work with Wilson and Mansour, as actors don’t always get the chance to work hand-in-hand with the people who created their characters. Even just the opportunity to ask questions about a character provides helpful context to guide the actors.
“In theater, you so rarely have the opportunity to work directly with the people who write the shows you perform. Being able to share their stories is so gratifying.”
HAILEY GUPTAIL ’27
“In theater, you so rarely have the opportunity to work directly with the people who write the shows you perform,” says Hailey Guptail ’27, who played the character Cheese Curd. “Being able to share their stories is so gratifying.”
That opportunity to originate a role and make a mark on the musical has been a profoundly meaningful experience for the cast.
“It’s really cool to know that you created the character,” says Michaela Tucci ’25, who played the character 10,000 Lakes. “Wherever LIGHTHOUSE goes next, we were the first to play Bus, and Hotdish, and so on.”
The authenticity of the show has resonated on campus and beyond. “Someone told me afterwards the show made them call their mom,” says Tucci.
The premiere marks a promising launch for LIGHTHOUSE as the show continues to soar in popularity. This March, the show won the prestigious 2024 Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater. The award recognizes excellence in new musicals and will fund a production of LIGHTHOUSE at a New York City nonprofit theater. For the student cast who originated these roles, the impact extended far beyond the stage.
As St. Olaf continues cultivating exceptional voices in theater and musical storytelling, LIGHTHOUSE marks just the start for the artistic forces behind its creation.
Watch the full production of LIGHTHOUSE below.