New Village Arts Brings Bold Sci-Fi Thriller The Apiary to Carlsbad

New Village Arts is kicking off 2026 with something a little different – a sci-fi workplace thriller set in a synthetic honeybee laboratory 22 years from now.

The Apiary, written by Kate Douglas, follows four people tasked with keeping the last surviving bee colonies alive until a shocking discovery inside the hive flips everything upside down. It’s strange, bold, and the kind of show that sticks with you after the lights come up.

A Not-So-Distant Future

The play is set in a world where bees have vanished and ecosystems are on the verge of collapse. Scientists Gwen, Pilar, and Zora are safeguarding one of the last remaining beehives on Earth, working under strict protocols to protect the future of the planet.

But as buried histories, competing ideologies, and unsettling truths start surfacing, their mission begins to unravel. The big question at the center of it all: how far would you go to save the bees, and what would you sacrifice to do it?

Kristianne Kurner’s 40th Production at NVA

Director Kristianne Kurner is at the helm, and this marks her 40th production at New Village Arts – a pretty incredible milestone. She’s known for daring visual storytelling and actor-driven work, and she’s bringing that same approach here.

“I’ve always been fascinated by plays that blend science and art,” Kurner says. “I was immediately drawn to The Apiary because of the science, yes, but also because of the question of ethics. How far should we go to save something we love?”

Her recent credits include Doubt: A Parable and The Ferryman, which was named the Most Ambitious Production of 2023 by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle.

A Fully Realized Synthetic Apiary Onstage

The production is partnering with Kingspan Light + Air and Solatube International to construct a fully realized synthetic apiary onstage.

It’s not just set dressing – these partners are bringing real-world sustainability expertise to create an environment that mirrors the play’s themes of innovation, preservation, and humanity’s attempt to engineer solutions.

The creative team includes returning NVA artists Carter Vickers (scenic and props), Jessica Moreno Caycho (costumes), Chris Renda (lighting), Miki Vale (sound), and Michael Wogulis (projections). The whole design is meant to deepen the immersive sci-fi aesthetic.

Dynamic Cast of Returning Favorites and New Faces

The cast features a mix of NVA favorites and debuts. Milena (Sellers) Phillips returns as Zora after her performance in The Roommate back in 2023. Michelle Caravia from La Havana Madrid and Nio Russell, who won a 2025 San Diego Critics Circle Award for their role in The Color Purple, are also in the production.

Adelaida Martinez makes her NVA debut as the youngest employee, with Maybelle Shimizu and Hayden St. Clair joining as swings.

See you there!

Speculative sci-fi, ethical questions about survival, and a fully constructed synthetic apiary onstage – this is the kind of bold, thought-provoking theater Carlsbad does well.

📆 January 23 – February 22, 2026 | Previews: January 23-30 | Opening Night: January 31
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ More info here

See you there, San Diego!