Tales from Greek mythology have captivated humanity for centuries.


And thanks to the hard work of East Tennessee State University students – from learning to walk on stilts to crossing a tight wire – a popular play is coming to the region.


Performances of “Eurydice” are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 22-24 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 25, at the Bert C. Bach Theatre in the ETSU Martin Center for the Arts. 


“The play is a must-see for anyone interested in Greek mythology, literature and interdisciplinary forms of theater and storytelling,” said Ante Ursić, the production’s director and a faculty member of the ETSU Department of Theatre and Dance. 


Written in 2003 by Sarah Ruhl, the play is known for innovative language and deep emotional resonance.


“Sarah Ruhl’s play reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, by centering Eurydice as the heroine of the piece, giving her a sense of agency that is often denied in the classical version of the myth,” said Ursić. “Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love.”


Starring ETSU students, the cast includes: Emily Austin, Cal Blagg, Mayceo Chugg, Cora Marinich, Taten Osborne, Anthony Vaughn and KB White.


The production team is made up of: Alice Beattie as stage manager, Talon Mincieli as assistant stage manager, Amanda Pulcini as intimacy director, Tarrin Chambers and Bird Honeycutt as intimacy captains, Melissa Shafer as lighting designer, Jonathon Taylor as scenic designer, Kenna Rasnake as assistant scenic designer, Beth Skinner as costumer designer, Christina Ward as assistant costume designer, Jess Richardson as assistant costume shop manager, Dustie Jeffers as Hair & Makeup Designer, Sarabeth Roberts as sound designer, Zach Olsen as technical director, and Matt Stevens as assistant technical director.


For tickets, visit this site.


ETSU is home to a thriving arts community, and the Department of Theatre and Dance is a powerful source of creative energy and entertainment in the region. 


For disability accommodations, call the ETSU Office of Disability Services at (423) 439-8346.




Video Transcript

Alice Beattie:

Eurydice is a really beautiful show. Orpheus and Eurydice story is really beautiful. If you haven't read it, definitely go and do that. It's one of the one of my favorite Greek myths.


And the show is going to be really beautiful.It's going to be a different take on any play that you've ever seen before. And it's just it's an experience you need to see.

 

Ante Ursić:

Yes, so I have to say the students here are really terrific. And they really embraced fully the creative journey, right, they learned how to walk on stilts, how to create soap bubbles, how to walk on the tight wire, they're memorizing their lines very quickly. And they really have risen to the occasion.


So I'm really proud of them. Just come to see the show. I think it will be wonderful.

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East Tennessee State University was founded in 1911 with a singular mission: to improve the quality of life for people in the region and beyond. Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies. ETSU serves approximately 14,000 students each year and is ranked among the top 10 percent of colleges in the nation for students graduating with the least amount of debt.

ETSU students pose in their production of Eurydice.

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