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4th Wall Dramaturgy
2016-2017 Season

Meet the Cast of Argonautika (Part 2 of 2)

May 16, 2017 11:18 PM
Haley Flanders

Welcome back to our tribute to the amazing actors of Argonautika. If you haven't had a chance to see our previous blog post, "Meet the Cast of Argonautika (Part 1 of 2)" it featured the following eight actors:

  • Christine Detweiler
  • Tommy Kindall
  • Olivia Ockey
  • Jordan Peterson
  • Samm Madsen
  • Ezra Chia
  • Molly Howard
  • Ian Buckley

This blog post features the remaining eight actors in the show. This post is also unique because it features the cast members (1/4 of the cast, in fact) from Utah Valley University (UVU)! This is a joint-university production, mainly because our director Janine Sobeck Knighton is a professor at UVU and worked for BYU as well. We hope you enjoy reading about their backgrounds, favorite things about being the show, future theatre goals (perhaps you will see them somewhere in the future), and getting a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into their work in rehearsals.

Don't forget to buy your tickets! Our show runs from June 2-17 in the Pardoe Theatre (HFAC) on campus. See you there!

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Meet Dylan Wright

Character: Jason

From: Sacramento, California

College: fourth semester at BYU, pre-Acting major

Favorite thing about acting in this play: I enjoy being able to collaborate with other actors and to learn from them as they refine their craft.  I am humbled to be a witness to such incredible talent, and lastly, I appreciate being able to pick apart the mind of Jason.

Theatre goals: I would love to major in acting one day, and perhaps take a swing at directing and writing my own pieces.

dylan
Dylan portraying Jason after he has been made leader of the Argo and has collected his Argonauts to journey with him on the search for the golden fleece. He plays to Zeus for protection and a communal drink is offered to the crew.

Meet Hannah Staley

Characters: Hera, Alcimede, and Phineus

From: Sebring, Florida

College: Freshman at BYU, on the pre-Acting track (BFA)

Favorite thing about acting in this play: My favorite part about acting in Argonautika is the “dress-up” aspect of it; I love children’s theatre, so I love that my main character Hera (as well as the whole show itself) allows me to embrace the side of me that is still fueled by imagination and dreaming.

Theatre goals: I want what I think every actor wants; to be able to do what I love. I want to develop my skills here at Brigham Young. I want to unlock doors that allow me to improve my craft for the rest of my life.

hannah
Hera is a trickster impersonators. Here, Hannah portrays Hera, acting like Medea's aunt Circe while Athena looks on.

Meet BJ Warner

Characters: Castor, Pelias, and Eros

From: Alpine, Utah

College: Senior at UVU, majoring in Theater with an emphasis in directing and scriptwriting

Favorite thing about acting in this play: I love the dynamicity of the characters in this show both played by me and by others. It’s really incredible to watch and has stretched me in so many different ways. Diving into an angry old man, a clueless bro, and a frivolous child at heart all in the same performance really requires a lot of focus and fun.  

Theatre goals: I have many goals and aspirations; I want to write a musical, a play, film some screenplays that I’ve already written, enter some competitions with my writing, find myself in hollywood, adapt some of my favorite movies for the stage and make the best, most coherent musical movie anyone’s ever seen! I also intend to use these skills to write and direct video games which seems out of place but, it’s all in the works!

bj
BJ portraying old King Pelias, Jason's uncle. Here, he bribes his servants Cepheus and Asterion to do what he wants.

Meet Courtney Dilmore

Character: Atalanta 

From: Bloomfield, New Mexico

College: Senior at UVU (will be graduating in December 2017) in Theatre Arts, emphasizing in performance

Favorite thing about acting in this play: Being in this show brings up a lot of unique challenges that I have been able to really have fun with. Working with a group of new people is a fabulous opportunity. I am learning so much about myself as an actor while playing in this world alongside this amazing team.

Theatre goals: After a BA, I would like to work in theatre/film whether it be acting, designing, or stage managing. I just want to be a part of creating untold stories and make others feel what I feel about a piece of art. Eventually, I would like to get my MFA in England.

courtney
Courtney portraying Atalanta during the Argonaut roll call, before boarding the Argo. The high energy comes to a halt when she steps out because she is the only woman aboard the ship. Yet that does not scare her. Here, Atalanta challenges Hercules to a race, knowing very well that she has a knack for speed...and tormenting the mighty Hercules.

Meet Kiersten Zundel

Character: Athena

From: Kalispell, Montana

College: Sophomore at UVU, majoring in Theatre (BFA), emphasizing in acting

Favorite thing about acting in this play: The exposition is so exciting!

Theatre goals: I would love to get my MFA someday in the future.

kiersten
Kiersten portraying Athena, who has the power to hold onto characters (without their knowledge) and possess them to speak for her through prophesy, visions, etc. Here, she holds onto Phineus in order to instruct Jason where to find the fleece. Idmon the blind prophet listens as well.

Meet Devin Davis

Characters: Meleager and Boreas

From: Orem, Utah

College: recently graduated from BYU with a BA in Theatre Arts Studies, emphasizing in directing

Favorite thing about acting in this play: I love mythology and I love theatre. It is so exciting to try to find ways to portray these mythical fantastic elements on stage. I also love the amount of characters and how they are portrayed. Myths really tell us about ourselves and so does theatre so this show becomes such a fascinating exploration of humanity in general.

Theatre goals: I’m looking into grad school, studying arts administration or performance studies. I want to eventually produce and direct immersive theatre based in found spaces, especially outdoors.

devin
Devin portraying Meleager, conversing with Jason, the leader of the Argo and the journey to the find the golden fleece. Meleager is partially immortal and is therefore an important asset to the crew. Yet there is a catch to his immortality. Take note during the play of Meleager's curse and fate.

Meet Costner Henson

Characters: Idmon and Aeson

From: Thousand Oaks, California

College: Senior at BYU, majoring in Theatre Art Studies, emphasizing in directing

Favorite thing about acting in this play: I love exploring and creating both my characters and the complete story of the show. I also love magic, myths and adventure, so this play is perfect for letting my inner child run a little wild sometimes. My favorite character to play is Idmon because there is so much depth to his reasons for doing what he does.

Theatre goals: I want to create work that will stir people’s hearts and both help them change and help them love theatre the way I have come to love it. I also hope that my degree in theatre will be a plus on my medical school applications.

Costner
Costner portraying Idmon during the roll call. He is the first to introduce himself during this song before they aboard the Argo. He tells the crew that although he is blind, he is a prophet and he is powerful and valuable to the crew.

Meet Tyler Scott "Scottie" Mitchell

Characters: Pollux, Cepheus, and Styrus

From: Chicago, Illinois

College: Junior at UVU, double majoring in Musical Theatre Performance & Computer Science

Favorite thing about acting in this play: I love how integrated the cast has to be in order for everything to “sell” if one person is not pulling their weight it can really show, and believe me, everyone is pulling their weight.

Theatre goals: I would love to go into scriptwriting and/or lighting design.

scottie
Scottie portraying Pollux, who is the twin brother of Castor (portrayed by BJ Warner). Their father is Zeus and that makes them very confident and god-like. Here, Castor and Pollux share their introduction during the roll call as they prepare to board the Argo.

There you have it! We hope you take joy in watching our production, having gained a stronger introduction to these talented performers from both BYU and UVU, who have given up so much of their time to tell this magnificent myth to Provo audiences. They truly are one of the most talented, entertaining, and supportive casts with which I have ever had the chance to work. I know you will love them too, when you see them on that Pardoe Stage next month. Stay tuned for four more blog posts regarding our show and the ins and outs of Greek mythology.

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