As a stage set revolves, it reveals a small trailer with wood paneling, green fabric walls and a leaky ceiling. While this set houses a new fictional star Lyric, it also brings a memory to life for the UTeach Fine Arts associate dean. 

Roxanne Schroeder-Arce (MFA drama and theater for youth and communities, 2000) began developing the play “Lyric & the Keys” in 2020. The story is largely inspired by Schroeder-Arce’s experience growing up in a rural Vermont trailer park and learning to read from her elementary school janitor Mr. Hartley. Decades in the making, Schroeder-Arce’s heartwarming story premieres Sept. 28 at San Antonio’s Magik Theatre.  

“It’s always been (an important) story to me that I learned to read from the janitor at my school,” Schroeder-Arce said. “That speaks to how I see the world — everyone has something to teach everyone else. Everyone has something to learn from everyone else. I felt like this is a story I need to put out into the world.”

Although now a first-generation college graduate holding a successful career in academia, Schroeder-Arce had to overcome numerous challenges. She said she wishes she had seen her story reflected somewhere growing up.

“Young people seeing stories and characters who are like them is so important, because it says there are people like (them) out there (and their) story matters,” Schroeder-Arce said.

The story also highlights the experiences of guiding forces in Schroeder-Arce’s life in elementary school, such as Mr. Hartley, her teacher and her single working mother. The Magik Theatre’s artistic director Anthony Runfola said he appreciates the children’s story giving adults the chance to shine.

“We think of teachers, but we don’t think of administrators, janitors (or) the cafeteria staff — all of that support staff absolutely contribute to a child’s success,” Runfola said. “I love how Roxanne has created this story that will resonate with a lot of people, old and young.”

Additionally, the show offers a unique musical performance. The numbers are played with acoustic guitar rather than traditional piano, written by UT alumna Jenn Hartmann Luck (MFA drama and theater for youth and communities, ‘11). Luck said the solo guitar references Shroeder-Arce’s mother, a musician and guitarist, while also bringing the show a folksy touch.

“This has become a beautiful opportunity to tell a story that’s important,” Hartmann Luck said. “Being a music composer who writes everything on guitar, it was exciting for me to explore her mom and these characters.”

Exploring these fictional characters encourages viewers to explore similar characters in their own lives. Following elementary schoolers seeing the play, Schroeder-Arce said it was moving seeing children flock around their custodian in response to the show. 

“Because it’s live theater, other people are watching this story and validating it and being moved by it,” Schroeder-Arce said. “When you see something on stage that reflects your life, and other people are enjoying it, it is so validating and important.”