![[BRIEF] Boys Basketball Wins Close Game](https://www.themuseatdreyfoos.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/breaking-news-1200x927.png)
Golden LED lights beam down from the ceiling, fog machines expel a misty screen, students wave cyan sheets of cloth to create the illusion of water, and the bright text “Metamorphoses” illuminates the stage.
The theatre department’s spring production of “Metamorphoses,” running Feb. 21 to March 1, brought the ancient stories from Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso, known in Modern English as Ovid, to life. The production is a collection of Ovid’s interpretations of ancient Greek myths and legends, each with its own moral takeaway.
“Everyone in the show works together to retell myths in a theatrical setting,” movement ensemble member and theatre junior Atlas Saavedra said. “The excitement never really wore off from the beginning of working on this show till the end.”
The production featured collaborations with the digital media department to create an immersive experience. The department helped in the creation of the show’s interactive video backdrop of space, rain, and storm illustrations. The theatre tech team asked the acting cast play-specific questions about scenes in the play and the emotions they felt. The team then sent these answers to digital media dean Melissa Glosmanova’s digital media classes, where her students created and edited the interactive video backdrop for the show.
“I don’t think I could pick one aspect that was my favorite because the whole thing was like a stunning spectacle of excitement the whole time,” Principal Blake Bennett said. “The acting was absolutely phenomenal, but this show had so much within it.”
Showtimes run through Fridays and weekends with performances at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. However, there was a showing for students featuring Act 1 during fifth period classes Friday, Feb. 28, where students had the opportunity to see part of the show if they are unable to attend after school performances. This may encourage others to see the full-length play during scheduled showtimes.
“They’re going to love it,” Principal Bennett said. “We study a lot of Greek mythology, so they’ll see some of the things they’ve learned in classes. I also hope students will come and see the whole show.”
Multiple of Ovid’s myths are portrayed throughout the entirety of the performance. One of the featured performances was the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, featuring characters such as the three Fates, Hades, and Hermes.
“Essentially, I, (theatre junior Kylie Mraz), (theatre junior) Aissa Duclervil, and (theatre junior) Zepplyn Berry are the three Fates of the underworld,” theatre junior Kylie Mraz said. “We are cutting the gold string of life every time Eurydice says farewell. It’s a repetition of Orpheus watching what he did over and over again, and we cut the string every time to symbolize her dying.”
The show required around two and a half months of dedication with many in-school and after-school rehearsals with additional days of mock performances. About three months of preparation were put into perfecting the technical theatre aspects, including lighting, video, and sound.
“The show exemplified Dreyfoos Magic to a tee,” Principal Bennett said. “I know that so much went into it. There’s a lot (of work), and people don’t see everything that goes into a production like that. The magic was everywhere in every aspect.”
“Metamorphoses” will continue to run until its final show Saturday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. To see other showtimes and more information about the theatre department, visit the website https://www.dsoatheatre.com/.
-
Holding a bident, digital media sophomore Rosspatrick Cumiskey, playing the role of Hades, looks down at theatre junior Atlas Saavedra, a member of the movement ensemble, while reenacting the Greek myth, “Orpheus and Eurydice.” In the myth, Orpheus travels to the underworld to try and revive his lost wife Eurydice, and he runs into Hades on the journey. This was the fifth story in the play.
'
-
Raising her arm as she is lifted into the air, theatre senior Kirra Bevilacqua plays the role of Eurydice as she holds her arm up high. In this scene of the Greek myth, “Orpheus and Eurydice,” Eurydice is trying to be brought back to life, rising in the air.
'
-
Theatre senior Kirra Bevilacqua, playing the role of Psyche, leans in for a kiss with her scene partner, who acts the role of Eros. The Greek myth follows the love story where Eros, the god of desire, marries a mortal woman, Psyche.
'
-
Holding a flower in her hand, theatre junior Zepplyn Berry plays the Greek goddess Pomona in the Greek myth, “Pomona and Vertumnus.” The myth follows how Vertumnus, the god of seasons, was in love with Pomona and tricked her into marrying him.
'
-
Theatre senior Shane Rainsburg, who plays the role of Ceyx from the Greek myth, “Aleyone and Ceyx,” cries out to the audience. In the tale, Ceyx leaves on a journey to see the world, leaving his wife at home. Eventually, his crew overthrows him during the trip, and he regrets his past decision.
'
-
Playing the role of King Midas, theatre junior Graham Gilbert looks to his co-actress, theatre junior Emerson Bellamy, who plays King Midas’ daughter.
'
-
Performing as part of the movement ensemble, theatre junior Atlas Saavedra acts in the Greek myth, “Orpheus and Eurydice.” “Joining the theatre department this year, I’m incredibly grateful to have been allowed to work on this beautiful show,” Saavedra said. “It is by far the most technical, intricate, and advanced show I’ve ever been a part of.”
'
-
Holding a spool of string, theatre junior Kylie Mraz performs in the play “Metamorphoses” as a member of one of the three fates in the underworld. “This is the last scene of act one, (and) it’s really, really sad,” Mraz said. “We cut the string on every ‘farewell’ that Eurydice says (…). It’s essentially her death scene of goodbye (when going) into the underworld.”
'
