By: Hannah Austin Photo by: Stampede Archive
The freshman humanities course was first brought to life at the free dress rehearsal of the Milligan College theater production of The Odyssey on April 10 at the Gregory Center of the Liberal Arts.
The Odyssey is a timeless epic taught each year during the first semester of freshman humanities. The Odyssey on stage brought the story to life by displaying memorable scenes throughout the story, including the section when Odysseus enters Hades. Viewers were enthralled as the story they had learned in humanities unfolded before them.
The cast mastered the art of syncopation. In the beginning scene, the female actors matched perfectly as they sang enchanted lines to begin the story. In scenes throughout the play, actors would stand perfectly still as the Old Poet, the narrator, told the story. Not a muscle moved as the actors stood. The cast also played the dramatic aspect well. For instance, as Odysseus enters Hades, he sees his deceased mother, and the audience could sense Odysseus’s passion in the scene.
The design of the set was appropriate. The play began with a typical Greek column set, and this set was used throughout the play in every scene but was modified when necessary. Props, fabric and actor simulations were used to convey scenes on Poseidon’s ocean and the scenes on Circe’s and Apollo’s islands. Lights were dimmed occasionally to highlight certain characters and scenes in Hades and others. The lights would dim each time the Old Poet caught the spotlight and told the story.
The sound in the play was phenomenal as it used echoes to enhance the voice of characters. Echoes complemented Circe’s voice as she spoke a monologue to Odysseus’s sailors. The sound used in the Hades scene was appropriately eerie and mysterious. Costumes for Odysseus and his fellow soldiers were more Greek than your typical toga. They wore leather sandals and carried swords. The costumes of the one-eyed Cyclops Polyphemus and the goddess Circe were exceptionally accurate and enhanced the characters.
Audience members laughed, gasped, and cheered as the Milligan College theater department brought The Odyssey to the stage. The play served as a refresher of what the typical Milligan upper-classmen learned their freshman year.
The play was directed by Professor of Theater and Director of Drama Productions Dick Major and also featured student actors including senior Colin Blowers, playing the main character Odysseus.
The first showing was free. Ticket’s for this weekend’s performances can be purchases in the bookstore for $5. Evening show times will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There will be an afternoon showing at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
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