From studying the culture of war to creating a theater piece featuring aerial choreography, Eamon Foley’s senior year at Princeton allowed him to experiment with and execute many of the ideas that had interested him for years.

For his senior thesis with the Lewis Center for the Art’s Program in Theater, Eamon Foley ’15 blended his academic studies in anthropology with his professional experience as a Broadway performer to create an original dance-theater piece entitled Hero. The work was performed April 25-May 1 at the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Marie and Edward Matthews ’53 Acting Studio.

This video takes viewers through Foley’s creative journey during an entire academic year, from early fall 2014 when he had no script, no choreography and no cast — just “a lot of great ideas bouncing around in my head” — through opening night in April 2015. The video highlights many of the practical challenges Foley faced, such as finding a 23-member cast among Princeton’s busy students and staying on budget.

Foley received an Outstanding Senior Thesis in Theater Award for Hero from the Lewis Center earlier this month.

Watch the video on the Princeton University homepage or visit the Hero event page for more information about the show.