Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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FEMME FATALE A WOMAN WHO HAD A DEADLY DESIRE FOR REVENGE The University Theatre Department had the challenge of portraying a bitter and ferocious female character in their winter production of Medea. Medea was originally a character in Greek mythology who's tale was first adapted by Greek playwright Euripedes. The theatre script which Director Charlotte Headrick used was a version developed by modem Irish poet Brendan Kennelly. It was the story of a woman scorned holding a deadly desire for revenge. The part of Medea was played by Sheila Daniels, a junior in Liberal Arts. “Sheila really took on a lot.” remarked Assistant Director Denys Thompson. “She really developed the character.” Thompson felt that her biggest pleasure was watching it all come together on stage. 1 beg of yout Medea. Shelia Daniels, pleads with King Creon, Dan Sefton. for one more day before she must leave the land. The play was based on Greek Mythology. Making Plans Finding possible refuge with Aegeus, Bill Jarrard. Meda. Daniels. Plans her revenge on Jason. Meda was a suffering sorceress under the scorn of Jason. “I became entranced by the whole thing. The cast was incredible. They totally rose to the challenge. Thompson felt that the production was not to be seen as man-bashing. The drama and intensity of Medea's revenge upon the man who deserted her could easily be interpreted as simply a violent feminist movement. However, the goal was to have the audience leave the theatrical performance with a “ re-evaluation of society’s treatment of women through history. Thompson said. The University Theatre Department’s production of Medea combined a powerful cast with excellent direction. Medea was a woman of women in a man’s world intensely interpreted on stage. Audiences were left with the play's final question: “Is Medea's crime Medea's glory? - Alexi Bartlett Winter Play

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P S Y CHIC PLOT Joe Ornton's comedy What the Butler Saw was staged by the University Theatre Department in early February. The comedy farse of Ornton's play featured a lack of common sense running rampant in a psychiatric ward. The plot is filled with comedy as sexual hijinks and adultery escalate to lunacy, director Gray Eubank said. It is a play in which reality becomes fuzzy and characters trade identities. Eubank said. A unique feature of What the Butler Saw was the costuming of the characters. The cast ended up at various stages of undress throughout the play, making production a bit risque. “It was a daring production Eubank said. Dr. Prentice ( played by David Cole) and his prospective secretary (played by Eileen Chauvet) triggered the action with their flirtatious endeavors. When Dr. Prentice's wife (played by A COMEDY FARSE PORTRAYING FLIRTATIOUS ENDEAVORS Kirsten Lee) entered the picture, the play moved toward great confusion. Eubank claimed that he had wanted to do a production of What the Butler Saw for a number of years, but never had the opportunity. “It's a terrific play, both in it's aspects of obvious physical slapstick, and the complex layers of humor. Audiences can really enjoy this type of production, Eubank said. - Denise I. Rohr beck Making a point Dr. Prentice. David Cole, and the hospital inspector. Thomas Gleischer. argue over psychoanalytical points. The play took place in a psychiatric ward. Winter Play

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Grieving for Meda The women of the village pose pensively in the wake of Meda’s departure. The directors agreed that one of the most difficult parts was to achieve unison in the women's voices. Discussion The teacher, Justin Canfield, discusses the fate of Meda’s children with Nurse Shelagh, Tami Brunelle. Connor Dick and Dane Wallace were some of the younger children in the play. Winter Play