FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2/11/2003- Ginny Butler

SFA Theatre Department To Present Greek Drama

        Audience members will not be sitting on stone benches in an ampitheater, but they will get a sense of what ancient Greek audiences experienced as they watched a performance of Euripides' "Bacchae" when the Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Theatre presents the Greek tragedy at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, through Saturday, March 1, in the Turner Auditorium.

       "The play dramatizes the introduction of the worship of Dionysos, the god of wine and ecstasy, into Greece and will include Greek tragedy conventions such as the chorus, masks, ‘deus ex machina,’ and a spectacle of traditional stylized staging," said Allen Oster, professor of theatre at SFA and director of the production.

       The 16-member chorus serves an important function in the drama, helping the audience understand what is going on and reach the next emotional level, said Juanita Finkenberg, SFA theatre lecturer and the show’s choreographer.

"The chorus accomplishes these tasks not only with the words, but with the changing rhythms of the verse and their choreographed movements,” said Finkenberg. “They are definitely part of the spectacle."

       In keeping with the Greek tradition, all of the actors will wear masks, but no actor will play several parts as did the ancient actors.

       The set design remains true to early Greek theater, complete with a "stone" playing area a façade of the palace and an apparatus by which the god Dionysus can "fly" in to the action, said Tomy Matthys, associate professor at SFA and scenic designer.

"We’ll also make use of incense in the religious ritual scenes, just as the Greeks did," Matthys said.

       Matthys and Luis Ramirez, associate professor at SFA and lighting designer, are adding modern techniques to the Greek drama. The earthquake will actually topple "stone" pillars, and special lighting, sound and smoke effects will accompany the disaster.

"The special effects enhance the idea of spectacle that was so important to the Greeks," said Oster.

       The Friends of the Theatre will serve baklava and dolma during an opening night reception in the Griffith Art Gallery at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25. At 7 p.m., Oster will speak about the production.

       Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. For more information, call (936) 468-6407 or 1-888-240-ARTS.

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