海角直播

Publish Date: Oct. 12, 2021

The stage is set for live theatre to return to 海角直播 this October.

And to celebrate, theater students along with the department head Paul Jacques, will present the world premiere production of Helen, Goddess of Arson, by Baylee Schlichtman.
The play tells the story of Helen of Troy before given that moniker and was selected by Roadrunner theatre students last summer, said Jacques. And with theatres across the globe celebrating a new season of curtain raisings following the pandemic and with many eager to tell women-centric stories in popular media, Jacques said the production was a no- brainer.

The story begins around the time when Helen 鈥� then a princess of Sparta 鈥� became of age to be married. Helen tolerated her suitors, which included some of the most handsome warriors in Ancient Greece who compete for her hand.The story turns when Helen鈥檚 attention shifts at the arrival of Menelaus of Mycenae, a bumbling prince who harbors grievances. After he is chosen, their unlikely bond brings to light Helen鈥檚 quiet resentment toward her patriarchal world. When tragedy strikes, Helen must make a choice. Does she choose love, her autonomy, or something else?

鈥淗elen is one of these figures that never gets a deep dive into the character,鈥� explained Jacques.鈥淎nd of all the plays we read, this was a delicious read.鈥�

鈥淧aul [Jacques] always mentions to us that the show is so good because it tells a part of the story that is unknown,鈥� said Grace McCray, a 21-year-old 海角直播 student who assumes the lead role.鈥淗elen herself is a complex character.鈥�

Along with McCray 鈥� a theatre arts and history major 鈥� rounding out the cast is Tara Quick as Helen鈥檚 sister, Leda; Sebastian Hernandez as Menelaus; and Jacob Brantmeyer, Enggie Ocampo and Joshua Tongpo as Chorus members 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Jacques directs.

The current Fall term has marked a bit of a return to normalcy at 海角直播 since the start of the pandemic, with some students returning to in-class learning and the planning of year-round events. Helen will mark the first time a production has been performed in the 海角直播 Performing Arts Center since Spring 2020, and there鈥檚 a sense of excitement in the air, said Jacques and McCray.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of energy,鈥� Jacques said. 鈥淭he students are excited to be here and are getting back into rehearsal mode after being off stage for so long. Everyone is very, very focused.鈥�

Added McCray, 鈥淚t feels like I can breathe again, literally. I鈥檓 one of those actresses that鈥檚 neurotic when it comes to acting. It was really, really hard doing theatre on Zoom and our group got really, really small.

鈥淟ive theater is all about the audience,鈥� McCray continued.鈥淚t is the life blood of theatre.鈥�

Performances of Helen run at 8 p.m. Oct. 1 and 2, and 2 p.m. on Oct. 3. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased online at www.craftonhills.edu/tickets or at the Performing Arts Center Box Office the day of each show.