Many individuals who work in live theatre get into the craft for its power to bring people together in shared moments.
The Fountain School of Performing Arts's final stage production of the season offers a propulsive, action-packed epic that's sure to encourage that spirit.
"It's a real ode to the power of storytelling," says Guest Director Ken Schwartz of The Odyssey, which runs this week on the Sir James Dunn Theatre Stage.听
Schwartz, who is artistic director with , has been working with Dal students across multiple disciplines to bring Rick Chafe's award-winning adaptation of the Homer classic to life.
Chafe's adaptation simultaneously interwines three separate stories into one: Odysseus's voyage home from Troy, the tale听of Penelope鈥檚 struggle to hold on to a kingdom in the face of vengeful suitors and, at the centre, the story of a family reconciling amidst the backdrop of a civil war.听
Benton Elliott as Young Odysseus, left, and Bree Torgrimson as Circe.
鈥淭he character-driven comedy in Chafe鈥檚 adaptation, especially amongst a family, is quite beautiful,鈥� says Schwartz. 鈥淚t brings us closer to believing in these people amongst all these monsters and supernatural forces. We believe in the reality of this family that's brought back together.鈥�
The Odyssey听runs March 24-27 at 7:30 pm, with a 2:30pm matinee and closing night 7:30 pm evening show on March 28.听
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Telling the story together
Eden Reshef, a Theatre student graduating this spring, served as set designer on the production.
鈥淚 really adore the idea of creating a visual world on stage that actors and audiences can come and live in every single night,鈥� says Eden. As a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in design and acting, her experience in these different disciplines informs her design choices to enrich the playing space.
鈥淚 want to design sets that are thrilling to act on.鈥�
Ensemble of The Odyssey.听Featuring Benton Elliott, front-centre, as Young Odysseus, with (back left-to-right )Bree Torgrimson as Circe, Rachel Chew, Ella Haefele, Alina Kogas as Sirens and Jacob Ives as Telemachus.
Eden鈥檚 set has become the figurative and literal foundation for the production. Her decisions have impacted the cast and crew鈥檚 practical and creative choices, from the volume of headsets for stage managers to how the actors block scenes.
The set itself is a collaborator.
鈥淭he set itself is a collaborator,鈥� says Schwartz. 鈥淚t invites you to explore how you are telling the story, by virtue of being there. Its contribution is immense.鈥�
Graduating technical theatre student Thunder Defayette, the production鈥檚 lighting designer, 听has been closely involved in seeing the set come together and adapting to the creative lighting opportunities and challenges it presents.
鈥淥ne of the things so unique about the Fountain School is that our sets are built right into the rehearsal space,鈥� says Thunder. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a gorgeous set, and it鈥檚 really helpful for everyone involved 鈥� especially the scenic carpenters 鈥� to experience it being built day by day.鈥�
L-R:听Set Designer Eden Reshef, Director Ken Schwartz, and Lighting Designer Thunder Defayette.
Thunder鈥檚 design plays a vital storytelling role, with more than 150 lighting cues that deepen the world Eden鈥檚 set brings to life.
鈥淰irtually everything will be facilitated by Thunder's creations,鈥� says Schwartz,鈥� because in this particular show, light is the glue that's going to keep everything together.鈥�
Full production credits available here
Learning through doing
9 1免费版下鈥檚 Theatre program immerses students in hands鈥憃n learning throughout all four years, emulating a professional theatre environment. Students in design leadership roles collaborate with crew members in positions they themselves once held, making strong communication skills and trust essential.
As set designer, Eden must eventually hand off her drawings and samples to the creators on the carpentry and scenic crews.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to build my plans, but it's with their own artistic flair, which is a beautiful part of the process. They are the builders and creators now. I am the dreamer and architect.鈥�
Alina Kogas as Hermes, left, and Benton Elliott as Young Odysseus.听
Thunder, who has worked in lighting and as head electrician on past productions, enjoys mentoring students who are in early years of the program.
鈥淥ver the past four years, I've worked with artists at my level, emerging people, as well as established figures within the theatre community,鈥� says Thunder. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been one of the great joys of my life, and I'm hoping to be able to continue it.鈥�
Ready for what's next
DalTheatre鈥檚 applied learning environment provides a safe space for students to fail and grow, to establish professional relationships, and to slowly evolve from emerging artists into accomplished ones, ready for work.
鈥淓den and Thunder are both very thoughtful, creative and, above all, I think, and this is in part a tribute to the Fountain School, they are intensely aware of what it means to be a good collaborator,鈥� says Schwartz. 鈥淭o see the quality of both the teaching and the artistry come together, that's lightning in a bottle.鈥�
Rachel Chew as Athena.