The SF State theatre department is exploring love, mathematics and even time travel in its latest play, “Arcadia.”

Written by British playwright Tom Stoppard in 1993, “Arcadia” is a mystery that juxtaposes characters from two time periods: the 1800s and the modern day. The play began its run Tuesday and continues through Saturday in the Studio Theatre in the Creative Arts building, with nightly performances at 8 p.m. There will be an afternoon performance on Saturday at 2 p.m.

“The play is interesting because the audience knows everything, but neither set of characters know the whole story,” said William Peters, a theatre arts professor and director of the play.

The play takes place in an English countryside home, where a contemporary set of historians try to figure out what happened in the house on a particular day more than 100 years ago. The play centers around a 14-year-old math genius and her tutor, a friend of Lord Byron. The modern-day historians, who cannot help but to put their own spin on what happened, attempt to unravel the lives of these characters.

“The whole story is about historical artifact, the place of imagination in science, and limitations on rational thinking,” Peters said. “[The play] reads like a love story to intelligence, it has a beautiful spirit of learning and curiosity.”

As the mystery unfolds, props pile up on a table in the middle of the stage, each a clue to the puzzle. The set and props remain unchanged when the scenes switch back and forth between modern day and the 1800s. “The time periods and characters echo each other,” Peters said.

The 11-person cast has been rehearsing 25 hours a week since September for the production. Actor Travis Howse was looking forward to opening night. “I’m very excited,” Howse said. “It’s going to be a great show.”

The play is performed in the Studio Theatre with a minimalistic set consisting of only a wood floor, a table and windows. “[The Studio Theatre] is my favorite performance space because the intimacy with the audience is profound,” Peters said.

According to Peters, the cast and crew put in extra work to make “Arcadia” possible, because the theatre arts department budget is lower than it has been in recent semesters. “We borrowed costumes from past productions, and the cast is even pitching in to make props,” Peters said.

“I’m very excited for it all to come together on opening night,” said actress Kelly Johnston, who plays the young math genius Thomasina Coverly. “It’s been an amazing opportunity to work with [director] Bill Peters. I think he’s brilliant.”

Tickets for “Arcadia” are $8 and can be purchased ahead of time by visiting
http://creativearts.sfsu.edu/tickets, or one hour prior to each performance at the Creative Arts box office.