CANTON — St. Lawrence University’s Department of Performance and Communication Arts will perform the play “Dark Water” April 4-8 at 8 p.m. in the Edson R. Miles Black Box Theatre.

Tickets are free but required.

Angela Sweigart-Gallagher, assistant professor of performance and communication arts, is directing this semester’s production, which she adapted from the original play by David Stallings. Inspired by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010, “Dark Water” follows the harrowing journey of Barnacle, a mother sea turtle, played by Mikayla McLean ’20 of Schenectady, New York, as she seeks to save her young daughters from the encroaching oil. On her quest she encounters friend and foe alike, as she grapples with the dangers posed by humans and other animals.

The play is also a coming of age story, as Barnacle’s son, Weed, played by Hamidou Sila ’21 of Bronx, New York, who must decide whether or not to risk his own life to save his sisters. The cast features Henry Liebers ’19 of Schenectady as the villainous seagull, Gullet, and Isabelle Murray ’21 of Yarmouth, Maine, as the perpetually cheerful dolphin, Daedalus, rounded out by a strong ensemble of actors including, Sarah Dobrin ’20 as Lily, Bregede Castillo ’21 as Elder Fish, Nicole Hamilton ’19 as Blue Heron, Jahmosi Hay ’20 as Charmer and Pad, Ellen (Mel) Olsson ’21 as Clam and Sheepshead, Jalissa Perez ’18 as Foam, and Madeline Sheen ’21 of Calcium, New York, as Pregnant Fish.

Depicting the 2010 oil spill off the coast of Louisiana, the play brings the truth of human consequences to light by telling the story through animals – the ones impacted most severely by this incident.

Tickets can be obtained for free online or in person at the Gulick Theater box office beginning March 28. More info, 315-229-5184 or www.stlawu.edu/performance-and-communication-arts.