A unique piece of stunning visual art, music and dance will take stage at Fisher Theater this weekend. The Iowa State University Dance and Theatre Departments and the Grinnell College Music Department will present the new and original piece, “Stained Glass.”

“The story is told through the metaphor of stained glass,” says Jeff Kaplan, writer, choreographer and director of the performance. “It’s a story of collaboration.”

The dance is the quest of a tragic central character to find inner peace and the meaning of life. Along his journey, the unnamed man, referred to only as “C,” is helped and hindered by those surrounding him, Kaplan says.

“C is the only mortal character in the story, and he represents all men,” says Clayton Johnson, sophomore in performing arts, who plays the role of “C.”

During the journey of the main character, many forms of stained glass sets enter and exit the stage to reflect the mood of the story. Interacting with the glass, the performers create a multidimensional work of art.

“The set is designed to look like stained glass,” says Marcia Schultz, “Stained Glass” stage manager and senior in communication studies. “The steel structures, fabrics and costumes, and the use of light gives the impression of stained glass.”

Along his journey, “C” meets several immortal characters that both help and hinder his progress.

“[C] will meet three supernatural beings; the Fire Angel, the Time Keeper and the Gate Keeper,” Kaplan says. “The Fire Angel represents desire, and casts six shadows.

The Time Keeper represents time and the Gate Keeper deals with the transitions between life and death.”

Amy Martin, health and human performance lecturer, will play the role of the Fire Angel.

“[The Fire Angel] is an immortal being that falls in love with a mortal man, the lead,” Martin says.

The Time Keeper will be played by William Windsor, dance accompanist.

“The Time Keeper is the master of time,” Windsor says. “He can speed up time or slow it down … for whatever reason the story calls for.”

Bob Sunderman, set designer, wanted the elements of lighting, music and dance to be most important.

“We wanted the set to be able to interact with all kinds of mediums,” says Sunderman, associate professor of music.

The performers will be dancing to the voices of the Grinnell College Singers chanting Rachmaninoff’s “Vespers.”

“Stained Glass” promises to be both visually pleasing and thought-provoking, Kaplan says.