Something not all Sacramento State students have time to discover is how dedicated staff and students in the theater department are and how their work transcends the norm of traditional theater, unconventionally and beautifully.

“Unveiling the Soul” will be no different, which is a play directed, written and performed by Andonia Cakouros. It is her gift to Sac State after 38 years of inspiring and encouraging students with profound insight.

“This play is her [Cakouros] goodbye to this department,” said Sac State alumna and stage manager Megan Aldrich. “Her life has been her students and her love for teaching … This play is an original work that we have been working on together for over a year now. It showcases every essence of her being, it contains her own writing, text from Greek tragedies, Hellenic text, poems, as well as elements of dance. She calls this show her swan song.”

Cakouros is taking the audience on the journey of her life, through the deaths she had to overcome, misfortunes and family problems. Originally the play was designed to be a one-woman show, but Cakouros added in eleven students to join her, acting as a chorus. The chorus acts out the emotions, portraying what Cakouros felt every step of her journey.

“This isn’t a normal play where you learn lines and you become this character, you have to put yourself through these emotions, which is kind of scarier than becoming a character … with this you have to tap into something real,” said Johanna Pugh, an actor in the chorus.

The non-traditional aspects of the play make for an uphill and riveting challenge.

There is no script and the cast and crewmembers work with Cakouros as the play develops, giving her their insight and ideas. Pugh talked about how Cakouros gives everybody creative freedom and creates a comfortable environment for students to express themselves.

“Working on an original production is extremely different from working on a scripted play,” Aldrich said. “This piece has literally been created from scratch … We open in five days and last night pieces were still being cut and changed and I anticipate things will be changing all the way until opening night. So it’s extremely stressful. However, I enjoy and welcome the challenge because it’s a part of what makes working a show like this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Being the last show the theater department will put on for the semester and the last show Cakouros will put on for Sac State makes for an exceptionally special experience for the cast. Pugh and Dechelle Conway, another member of the chorus, have been touched by Cakouros with her teachings and full support.

“It was incredible, I love Andonia more than anything in the world, and she’s been my professor before, so getting to be taught by her last semester and then come here and have her directing me it was incredible, she’s a great director and she’s a beautiful person, so it was great,” Conway said.

The play isn’t only bringing together students and faculty to celebrate a wonderful, dedicated person, but it brought students together, creating a unique bond and experience the cast members cherish.

“My favorite aspect is being so close to everyone, we have a small group of eleven and the things we’ve shared with each other, we get really really deep, and having a support system like that who knows what you’re going through, and they’re there for you and they support you through everything has been the best part for me,” Conway said.

It is clear that Cakouros is loved and deeply respected by her students, and that she was able to do more than just teach; she touched people’s lives and gave unlimited support.

“She was always a voice for the students,” Aldrich said. “Her priority was always them and she would fight tooth and nail for them. She would do anything for them. We need more professors like that. She is one of those professors who truly believes in their students, and she genuinely loved watching them grow as actors. Her classes were always about more than just passing or failing, they were about growth and learning.”

“Unveiling the Soul” opens on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. and will continue until May 10. Aldrich, Pugh and Conway hope students will come and see it.

“It’s a very unusual play but I think it’s going to speak to some people, especially if they’re going through a tough time or if they want to be able to express themselves, and this play lets you do that,” Pugh said. “She holds nothing back, she’s been here for 38 years and she’s touched so many people, it has something for everyone.”