Spring Break
'Medea' opens Black Box Theatre in Doudna Fine Arts Center
Ancient Greek tragedy met with applause in newly opened, nearly packed theatre
Andy Peterson/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/17/08 Section: News
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More than 2,000 years after the play's first performance at the annual drama festival in Athens, Greece, "Medea" made its way to the Black Box Theater of the Doudna Fine Arts Center. With its opening Friday night, "Medea" became the first play to be performed in the Black Box.
When the play began, the theater was nearly at full capacity.
Although the play was originally scripted thousands of years ago, it deals with the ever-relevant theme of a woman trying to cope in a society dominated by men.
Unlike the original play, which was set in ancient Greece, director Jean Wolski chose to set the play in the early 20th Century, around the time of World War I.
"Setting a play in a different era is fairly common theatrical practice, and as long as the move doesn't violate the spirit and message of the play, it allows for artistic exploration," Wolski said. "There were a number of options that would fit the themes presented in the play, including this century."
Bailey Murphy, a senior theater major who has performed in more than 10 plays at Eastern, played the role of Medea - the story's fiery and tragic lead character.
Despite having some trouble with her voice in the days preceding the show, Murphy gave a powerful and emotionally driven performance.
When getting into character, Murphy said she is pretty quiet backstage compared to most of the cast.
"I don't really talk to people like a half hour before the show starts, and I listen to really depressing music," Murphy said.
Sophomore theater major Tim Tholl played Jason, Medea's unfaithful husband.
"I was very happy with the way it went," Tholl said of the Friday performance. "It couldn't have gone better."
Tholl said he really enjoyed working in the Black Box.
"It's a lot closer than what I'm used to," Tholl said. "I mean people are right on top of you, and it's just a really cool and intimate space."
Andy Peterson can be reached at 581-7942 or at dennewsdesk@eiu.edu,.
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