 A student actress performs the opening monologue of Metamorphases on Saturday evening. Photo by Andrew Torrey | The Appalachian The water is contained in a Roman-inspired pool, constructed for the theatre and dance department’s production of “Metamorphoses,” based on the myths of Roman poet Ovid.
Running from April 21-25, the play incorporated nine tales, ranging from themes such as the creation of man, greed, gluttony, benevolence, love and heartbreak.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Emily M. Candelario, freshman theatre arts major said. “I thought it was incredible. It was probably the biggest production [the theatre and dance department] has put on [this year].”
Candelario attended both Wednesday’s opening night and Friday’s performances.
“Dr. Ray Miller did a great job telling such well-known stories throughout history in a way people would actually stay interested in [it],” she said.
Preparation for the play has been underway for over a year, Miller said.
He is a theatre and dance professor and director and choreographer for “Metamorphoses.”
“One of the things that is most fun for me is being able to create these characters and worlds with the students,” he said. “They were hungry to do this.”
Miller made sure to incorporate three essential aspects into the production: water, music and movement.
“[All] tie the stories together so it’s not just telling the story — it’s becoming the story in a way that you move your body and it becomes more dreamlike,” he said.
The notion of change collectively encompasses all stories as a theme.
“Water is constantly in a state of change, so that becomes a powerful metaphor for our lives,” Miller said.
Junior theatre arts major Brian M. Chavez has been working out five days a week since January to physically prepare himself for the roles of Eros, Orpheus and others.
“I just felt attracted to [Eros] because he’s very fantastical and the whole idea of having wings is just awesome,” he said.
Chavez utilized his two dance classes this semester to train for the performance, as well as enrolled in an extra ballet class to work on balance and technique.
The pool, encompassing most of the set space, posed several potential problems for theatrical production.
Designers had to consider the weight water added to the costumes, choosing lighter fabrics for actors that soak up less water to allow for safer movement on stage.
“This is a once in a lifetime experience for me to be acting in water,” Chavez said.
“You only have one shot at life,” he said. “If you don’t go out there and make the best of it and just take risks, then life isn’t going to be what you want it to be.”
Story: PHILLIP WYATT, Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: ANDREW TORREY, Intern Photographer |
