The University of St. Thomas’s spring 2018 production of “Pride and Prejudice” was announced Best Houston Play of 2018 by Broadway World Houston.

Unlike prior UST productions, the cast included professional actors in addition to University of St. Thomas students. Dylan Smail, a senior drama major, played Mr. Collins in the performance and has experience working as a director himself.

“In some ways, I am not surprised that we won Best Play because it was truly a sight to see professionals work together with UST students to create an extraordinary show for all,” Smail said.

An adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel “Pride and Prejudice,” the play takes place in 19th century England and follows Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman who comes to realize that first impressions are often wrong. Junior Alexandra Guirette, a marketing major with a studio arts minor, led the cast in the role.

“I am so proud of everyone that was a part of the show – the cast, the crew, everyone,” Guirette said. “It was really an honor to work with every single one of them. I think winning Best Play highlights all the hard work that was put behind the production, which emphasizes how proud I am of our group.”

What also made this production unique was that its director, former Assistant Professor of Drama Eric Domuret, also wrote the adaptation himself. Its world premiere was April 19, 2018.

“The biggest kudos go to former UST Drama faculty member, Eric Domuret, who was the unique production’s adaptor and director,” Claire McDonald, professor and chair of the Department of Fine Arts and Drama, said. “Under his talented and innovative guidance, a superb combination of local professional actors and UST drama students made the classic Jane Austen story come alive in our Jones Theatre. The voting Houston community was clearly impressed and UST Drama could not be more proud of this acknowledgment.”