KU News Release

Sept. 15, 2006
Contact: Charla Jenkins, University Theatre, (785) 864-2684.

KU Theatre for Young People to stage Greek myth ‘The Odyssey’

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Theatre for Young People will stage a dramatization of Homer’s “The Odyssey” Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 in the Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall.

Adapted by Gregory A. Falls and Kurt Beattie, the production is directed by Dennis Christilles, KU professor of theatre and film.

Performances for Lawrence and Douglas County schools are Sept. 25-30. Public performances are at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1.

This dramatization of “The Odyssey” was created by the Young ACT Company for the Washington State Enrichment Program and was featured in the 1979 Children’s Arts Series of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Christilles composed the music for the KU production and created the scenic design. Musical director and violist for the production is Laura Raab, Olathe junior. Christina Montgomery, Manhattan senior, is costume designer, and Nick Kostner, Murdock graduate student, is designing lights.

Christilles described the production as “traditionally Greek” and said the new adaptation is true to the original myth.

The play tells the story of Odysseus, leader of the island kingdom of Ithaca in Greece, and the long journey he must make to return to his home and his family.

Christilles said many of the actors in the production play more than one role and several of the women play men’s roles.

“When theatre began in ancient Greece more than 2,500 years ago, the actors at that time were all men,” he said. “The women’s roles were played by men. Our production does just the opposite. When we tell each other stories, we often say what a person said and, at times, even imitate their voice and movements. Sometimes they are male and sometimes female. In the spirit of good story telling, our production allows women to speak in the voice of men.”

Christilles said he is using costumes and masks to help the audience tell one character from another. The actors have also worked on different ways of speaking and moving for each character.

“This story takes place in many different locations,” Christilles said, “but our set shows only a fairly bare space between two tall walls. This adds to the idea of storytelling. Fantastic locations can be more effectively suggested in the mind through suggestion than by painted wood and canvas.”

Limited reserved seat tickets for “The Odyssey” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982; Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and Student Union Activities, 864-7469. Tickets are $10 for the public, $5 for students and $9 for seniors and KU faculty and staff. VISA and Mastercard are accepted for phone and online orders.

Student cast members and those with production responsibilities are listed below by name, class level and major, parent names, high school and role.

BROWN COUNTY
From Hiawatha
Megan Persinger, senior theatre major, daughter of Bill and Kathy Persinger; Hiawatha High School; Hermes, Leodes, Eurylochus, Aeolus’ Attendant and Dead Soul.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood
Courtney Schweitzer, senior theatre major, daughter of Ken and Linda Schweitzer; Blue Valley High School; King Aeolus, Teiresias, Eurymachus and Siren.

From Olathe
Laura Raab, junior applied behavioral science major, daughter of Mark and Patricia Raab; Olathe South High School; musical director and violist.

KINGMAN COUNTY
From Murdock
Nick Kostner, master’s degree student in design, son of Tom and Sharon Kostner; Kingman High School; lighting design.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Lansing
Lawrence P. Henderson, senior theatre major, son of Terri L. Harris; Lansing High School; Polyphemus, Ktessipos, Zeus and Dead Soul.

PAWNEE COUNTY
From Larned
Kate Giessel, senior theatre and film and linguistics major, daughter of Tom and Sheryl Giessel, Larned High School, Pallas Athena, Poseidon, Aeolus’ Attendant and Siren.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan and Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Christina Montgomery, Manhattan, senior theatre design major, daughter of Katherine Montgomery of Rotterdam, The Netherlands; costume design.

MAINE
From Falmouth
Carter Royce Waite, senior theatre and film major, son of DeDe Waite; Falmouth High School; Odysseus and Old Man.

MINNESOTA
From Lakeville
Justin Knudsen, senior theatre and English major, son of Ken and Barb Knudsen, Lakeville Senior High School, Telemachus, Apollo, Peremides and Dead Soul.

OKLAHOMA
From Stillwater
Amy Virginia Buchanan, sophomore theatre major, daughter of David and Cindy Buchanan; Stillwater High School; Penelope, Polites, Hylax and Dead Soul.

TEXAS
From Missouri City
Kari Gillespie, junior applied behavioral science major, daughter of Marty and Nancy Gillespie; Dulles High School; Circe, Anticlea, Antinous, Siren and Perites.

THE NETHERLANDS
From Rotterdam and Manhattan, Kan.
Christina Montgomery. SEE RILEY COUNTY.

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