This weekend the department of Theatre and Dance will present a unique Fall production, “Iphigenia and Other Daughters.” The production is a combined retelling of three classic Greek plays, “Iphigenia at Aulis,” “Electra” and “Iphigenia at Tauris.” “Iphigenia and Other Daughters” brings a contemporary perspective to these archetypal stories and gives more voice and insight into the female characters.
“Iphigenia and Other Daughters” focuses on the stories of the women of the House of Atreus and quietly and poetically parallels these mythological tales with present-day women’s experiences in war.
The play examines dysfunctional family dynamics that are still relevant today, for there is competition for the title of favorite daughter and a general lack of communication. There is also a prominent theme of in-family prejudices which results in the lack of desire to get to know the members of the family they already hate.
The show is directed by Season Ellison, a visiting professor at the College in the department of Theatre and Dance. Professor Ellison is excited about the modern breadth this production can give to Greek plays and encourages students to† leave all preconceived notions at the door. If you come to see the show you will experience a night filled with storytelling and a unique, modernized immersion into greek theatrics.
“Iphigenia and Other Daughers” has 11 cast members, which is relatively small by typical Fall productions standards at the College. While the cast may be small there is a very large emphasis on the participation of the ensemble, something that is particularly atypical for a play. Each of the roles is equally significant so most of the rehearsal time was spent developing the ensemble dynamic.
Almost two weeks of the rehearsal process was dedicated to educating the actors on what it means to be in such a unique kind of production and on special acting techniques. Cast member Matthew Simpson ’14 explained that they used a method called “Viewpoints.” Instead of going through the process of memorizing lines in the first two weeks, Viewpoints gave the cast the opportunity to learn how to express themselves through movement. The Viewpoints method is done in silence in an effort to emphasize the expression of actor’s body.
Simpson said “using the Viewpoints method helped [them] to develop our characters and work together as an ensemble. Viewpoints helped make our cast stronger.”
Developing a working relationship within a show that has an emphasis on an ensemble is crucial to a successful performance of “Iphigenia and Other Daughters.”
This process has significantly enhanced the ability of the cast to do justice to this† modern Greek work that, if not approached correctly, could fall on its face.
“Iphigenia and Other Daughters” has the potential to give us a new way to consider Greek dramas.
The unique and professional approach of this rehearsal process will make for an interesting end result.
The show opened Thursday and will run Friday and Saturday at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are available at the Freedlander Theater Box office and can be purchased at the door up to 15 minutes before the show begins. It is suggested to purchase tickets ahead of time because the performances are during Parents Weekend.† Late seating will not be permitted during the production.