Southeastern Theatre puts non-traditional twist on ancient Greek tragedy
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: November 1, 2012
HAMMOND – The fall theatre season at Southeastern Louisiana University continues with the ancient Greek tragedy "The Bacchae" to open at the university's Vonnie Borden Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Instructor of Costume Design Cody Stockstill directs the historic play written by Athenian playwright Euripedes.
"We're taking a non-traditional turn with it. I didn't want to label a period on it. So this could happen anytime, anywhere, which I think makes it a little more timeless for the audience," said Stockstill.
The play runs Nov. 13-16. General admission tickets are $10; $6 for Southeastern faculty and staff, seniors and non-Southeastern students; and Southeastern students are admitted free with university I.D. Tickets are available at the Vonnie Borden box office in D Vickers Hall, 985-549-2115. The box office will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting Nov. 5. Sales will resume at 6:30 p.m. on performance nights.
"The Bacchae" tells the mythological story of the god Dionysus, who is punishing King Pentheus of Thebes and his mother Agaue. Dionysus comes to the city of Thebes in disguise and drives women up to the mountains, where they lose all inhibitions.
"The play is about expression versus oppression," Stockstill said. "Dionysus represents expression, and Pentheus symbolizes oppression."
The main male roles of Dionysus and Pentheus are played respectively by Southeastern senior Jordan Leggett of Slidell and sophomore Matt Carona of Independence. The role of Pentheus' mother, Agaue, is played by junior Chelsea Krause of Baton Rouge.
All 13 members of the cast are Southeastern students. "I think the youth of the cast and their eagerness gives the show an interesting energy on stage," said Stockstill.
Stockstill adds "The Bacchae" asks a lot of big questions, typical of Greek tragedies.
"The audience should question their roles in society and as human beings," he said. "Do you express yourself too much or do you trap yourself in society?"
