April 16, 2026 | Theatre,

The Secret Sharer: A Quick Guide Before You Go

If you’re heading to The Secret Sharer at the Emerson Paramount Center this month and are wondering what to expect, here’s a quick guide to help you walk in feeling ready – and intrigued!

DNAWORKS’ The Secret Sharer is based on a short story by Joseph Conrad, first published in 1909. At its core, it’s about a young ship captain who secretly shelters a fugitive sailor he finds in the open sea. The two strangers quickly form an intense and intimate bond. The story begins with a newly in command captain, alone on his ship. One night, he discovers a mysterious stowaway hiding near the vessel: a man on the run after committing a violent act aboard another ship. However, instead of turning him in, the captain makes the risky and unusual choice to hide the fugitive in his own quarters. As the captain protects this stranger, their lives, and identities, start to intertwine, with each man revealing other parts of each other, much to their own surprises.

In this unique page-to-stage adaptation, DNAWORKS transforms this story into a multimedia, movement-driven, and participatory performance that explores identity, connection, and what it means to truly see yourself in another person. In keeping with the company’s signature storycircle practice, audience members create the ship’s perimeter and are invited to share their own stories throughout the performance, inviting a collaborative space where audiences co-create the environment.

The Secret Sharer runs from April 24-May 3 at ArtsEmerson – don’t miss your chance to see this world premiere, so be sure to secure your tickets today. We look forward to seeing you at the theater soon.