A single flame flickered as a man emerged from the void, his lighter casting eerie shadows. The silence was soon broken by a voice counting, “1,2,3…” The spectators were entranced, their eyes fixed on the unfolding drama, until the final count of “…100” resonated through the room. This powerful moment was part of an unforgettable theatrical experience hosted at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q).

Students and faculty from across Education City gathered to witness the Hollywould Theatre Club’s debut performance of Christopher Heimann’s “100.” The play, which explores themes of memory, identity, and the meaning of life, captivated the audience, taking them on an imaginative and thought-provoking journey.

The story follows four characters who find themselves in a mysterious void, guided by the enigmatic Guide, played by communication sophomore Yumin Cho. Each character grapples with their own struggles and revelations. Ketu, portrayed by first-year student Thomaz Braga, tries to convince his villagers of his discovery that the earth is round, only to face their mistrust. Sophie, brought to life by first-year student Xiyue Wang, is overworked and burdened by the pressure to be liked by others and accepted by her mother. Alex, depicted by communication sophomore Yicheng Gao, is a young man questioning his identity and reflecting on how he has lived his life. Nia, played by first-year student Balym Zhamkhan, is Alex’s girlfriend, whose entire existence seems to revolve around her relationship with him.

As the characters recount their lives and confront their pasts, each must choose a single memory to carry into eternity. Directed by Yicheng Gao and produced by communication sophomore Hyemin Cho, the play weaves these individual stories into a compelling narrative about their final journey after death. The performance left a strong impression on the audience, including faculty members.

“Fantastic choice to put on stage,” said Banu Akdenizli, an associate professor of communication at NU-Q. “I just loved it. I love the fact that theatre is back at NU-Q.”

Hollywould is the first theatre club at NU-Q, bringing a new dimension to the university’s extracurricular activities. The idea of starting the club came to Hyemin Cho unexpectedly one fall morning in 2024 as she washed her hair, lost in thought.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of musical films like Glee and The Greatest Showman,” she said. “I’ve had this vague dream of one day creating a magical movie that could bring people back to the childlike wonder of their youth.”

Driven by this dream, Hyemin Cho founded the Hollywould Theatre Club alongside her older brother Yumin Cho, and friend Yunting Zhan, a communication sophomore. Later, they invited Gao to join as the final board member, leveraging his experience in running a high school theatre club.

“The name of the club was my idea,” said Gao. “Hollywould symbolizes our hope that we ‘would’ make it to Hollywood – the place where everyone with an acting dream hopes to end up.”

As the most experienced member, Gao also selected the play “100” to perform and took on the role of director. He chose a play he had read years ago, one that had stayed with him ever since.

“Even though it was written 23 years ago, the themes still feel very relevant today,” he said.

In the play, the audience follows each character’s past, selecting a specific memory, but Alex – played by Gao himself – is the only character who struggles to choose a memory.

Gao explained: “Nia was obsessed with Alex. Ketu was obsessed with his truth. Sophie was obsessed with success. Yes, they chose their memories, the most significant moments of their lives, but those exact moments also trapped and defined them.”

To him, living a life like Alex’s is preferable – not because one shouldn’t work hard, but because it’s about embracing all forms of being and living freely. It’s about avoiding the rabbit hole of obsession and refusing to let one idea define a person’s life.

Conveying such philosophical and imaginative ideas requires actors to forge a deep connection with their characters. For first-year student Balym Zhamkhan, who played Nia, this process was initially challenging.

“When I read the script for the first five times, I didn’t understand the story,” she said. “During rehearsals, especially with such limited time, you don’t focus on the narrative. All you care about is memorizing your lines.”

Director Gao played a crucial role in guiding the actors through these struggles. He frequently stopped rehearsals to ask, “Why are you saying this?” – a question that pushed the actors to delve into their character’s psychology and refine their performances.

Despite the intense preparation of one month, Zhamkhan was surprised by the turnout on the day of the performance. She had expected a maximum of 20 people but found all the seats filled.

“But that didn’t make me anxious,” she said. “Maybe it’s because I’ve been singing and dancing on stage since I was very young. Now, whenever I step on stage, I forget everything – who I am, my urgent problems – everything.”

Her confidence and the cast’s hard work resonated deeply with the audience, leaving a lasting impression. Ilyes Rekhis, a sophomore at Georgetown University in Qatar, shared his thoughts on the performance.

“The acting was amazing. I loved it from A to Z,” he said. “My favorite part was the end when Alex realizes that there is nothing precious to remember about his life, which was the real death.”

Beyond the acting, the behind-the-scenes work served as the cornerstone of the play’s success. Hyemin Cho, the club’s president, was the backbone of this demanding process, juggling roles as producer, sound technician, and head of social media.

“At one point, our board members even seriously considered canceling the show,” she said. “Balancing academics while preparing for the performance was overwhelming, and we just didn’t have enough time.”

Despite these challenges, the team pushed through, driven by their shared passion and commitment. For Braga, who played Ketu, the experience was transformative. Reflecting on the deeper meaning of their work, he emphasized the power of art to shape identity.

“Whether it’s through theatre, film, or writing, we’re constantly thinking about how our words, actions, and images define us – not just as media students, but as individuals,” he said.

As the final curtain fell, “100” left the audience reflecting on the memories they would choose to carry into eternity – and what that choice would say about the lives they’ve lived. For the Hollywould Theatre Club, the performance marked the first step in a journey to explore the art of theatre. With the success of their debut still fresh, they now look to the future, ready to create more moments that challenge, inspire, and linger long after the lights go down.