Act I
Soldiers march through the town square. Micaëla (Maria Valdes) arrives, searching for José (Won Whi Choi.) Moralès, an officer on duty, informs her that José will be on the next watch and invites her to wait with them, but she chooses to leave and return later. A group of street children passes, followed by the changing of the guard led by Zuniga, another officer.
All at once, the square becomes lively as factory workers and soldiers gather and we are introduced to an effervescent Carmen (Alice Chung), drawing the most attention. Before heading back to the factory, Carmen tosses a flower to José, which he retrieves once the crowd disperses.
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Micaëla returns and delivers a letter from José’s mother. Suddenly, commotion erupts at the factory as women rush out, accusing Carmen of attacking another worker with a knife. Carmen is arrested. While the warrant is being written and the officer is distracted, Carmen seduces José, who helps her to escape.

Act II: Two Months Later
Carmen and her friends, Frasquita (Leslie Goldman) and Mercédès (Blythe Iakuinipua‘okahana Kelsey ), entertain Zuniga and Moralès at an inn. A group of soldiers arrives, accompanied by the famous bullfighter Escamillo (Richard Ollarsaba), who is immediately drawn to Carmen.
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Later, two men meet with Carmen, Frasquita, and Mercédès to discuss a smuggling operation that requires the women’s assistance. Frasquita and Mercédès agree, but Carmen declines, revealing her love for José.
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When José appears, he professes his requited love. However, duty calls as the roll-call sounds from the barracks. Torn between his responsibilities and his feelings, José hesitates. Zuniga unexpectedly returns, leading to an uproarious confrontation. After the fight, Carmen’s companions intervene, and José realizes his military career is over. Left with no other option, he joins the smugglers.

Act III: Several Months Later
Smugglers gather near the border under the cover of night. Carmen and José’s relationship has soured; she is disillusioned, while he remains possessive and volatile. Frasquita and Mercédès read fortunes from a deck of cards, but Carmen’s cards ominously predict her death.
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As the women leave to distract customs guards, José stays behind. Meanwhile, Micaëla and Escamillo separately approach the camp, searching for José and Carmen, respectively. Micaëla hides as José and Escamillo engage in a fight, which is interrupted when Carmen and the others return. Escamillo invites everyone to his next bullfight before departing.
Micaëla is discovered and pleads with José to return home to his dying mother.

Act IV: Outside the Bullring
A festive crowd gathers for Escamillo’s bullfight. The toreros receive cheers as they enter, with Carmen by Escamillo’s side. After Escamillo heads into the arena, José confronts Carmen outside. She mocks him, refusing to rekindle their relationship. In a fit of rage, José stabs Carmen, killing her.