Graduating senior Kim Hale is passionate about theatre.

Through “Anything Goes,” “Macbeth,” “Scaramouche” and as many as 12 others, Hale has been involved in ISU Theatre both in the spotlight and behind the scenes.

Now she’s capping off her Iowa State career with “A New Brain,” a musical in which she produces and performs.

“It wasn’t anything I had to do; I just really wanted to tackle a big musical,” says the senior in performing arts and journalism, who is counting down the days until graduation. “This show is a nice way for me to go out.”

“A New Brain” tells the tale of Gordon Schwinn, a songwriter who wants to write for Broadway musicals but is stuck writing for a children’s show called “Mr. Bungee.”

He is diagnosed with a terminal brain condition, and the show focuses on how he deals with relationships between friends and family before his death.

The music and lyrics were written by William Finn, who also played a role in writing the script, which is loosely based on his own experiences.

Hale says the musical is a “workshop production” that brings together student performers and organizers to put on a play as a learning project.

“Some musicals are all about dancing and flashy costumes, but this show takes those aspects away and gives the audience the opportunity to focus on the script and the characters,” Hale says. “It’s simplifying it down for the audience so they can see how a musical comes together. It’s kind of a new way of looking at a show.”

The musical debuted at the Lincoln Center in New York City two summers ago, and while Hale was unable to see it then, she was turned on to the shows music by a friend.

“I went out and bought the CD, and the music is just beautiful,” she says. “It’s some of the funniest songs in the world, and it’s really gorgeous music.”

In addition to producing the show, Hale plays the role of a homeless woman, who provides sharp contrast with the main character because of her hardships living on the streets.

“She’s just kind of the outside source, dealing with the cards she’s been dealt in life,” Hale explains.

As a veteran of the theatre department, Hale has a lot of fond memories of her years at ISU.

“All my time here’s been spent on theatre; my involvement’s as high as you can get,” she says. “I’ve never had a negative experience, but I think it’s time to move on and let some of the younger people get the parts.

“I love being on stage. It’s a total high,” she says excitedly. “You can make an audience feel so much, and I think that’s why I like this musical, because it’s the perfect mix.

“It’s really intense. It’ll make you cry and laugh.”