The Reviews are In! Argonautika is a Wonder Worth Witnessing
June 15, 2017 11:14 PM
Haley Flanders, dramaturg
Welcome to the final Argonautika blog post! We cannot thank you enough for your support of our production, and taking the time to read more about it. The show closes this Saturday, June 17 and it has been one wild ride. We hope that if you were able to attend the performance, that you learned much more about Greek mythology, and enjoyed the messages, the spectacle, the humor, and the chance to experience truly extraordinary live theatre.
To end our blog, here is a collection of reflections from various sources: from the online media, from BYU theatre professors who saw the show, and from cast members: Also, enjoy our a collection of production photos, courtesy of Michael Handley.
FROM THE MEDIA
The Daily Universe (BYU) review by Rebecca Sumsion:“BYU’s Argonautika Displays a Creative, Collaborative Effort”. To read, click here.Quote: "BYU’s Department of Theatre and Media Arts’ spring production of “Argonautika” uses creativity to share stories of Greek mythology to family audiences. [...] The cast’s creativity comes through the 16 actors who play more than 50 characters throughout the production. Sobeck Knighton said student creativity was a large part of the rehearsal process and allowed students to take ownership of the way the story is told. 'I try to create a rehearsal room where anyone’s idea can be thrown into the table and we’ll try it,' Sobeck Knighton said."
Utah Theatre Bloggers Association (UTBA) review by Russell Warne: “An Adventurous Argonautika at BYU”. To read, click here.
Quote: "Fight scenes, monsters, political intrigue, humor, and a love story make Argonautika a show that has something for everyone. [...] I appreciate this show as an unvarnished introduction to Greek mythology, complete with flawed heroes, gruesome actions, and spectacular monsters."
FROM BYU THEATRE FACULTY
Professor Teresa Dayley Love (theatre for young audiences, theatre education): "The very definition of ensemble work with all players sharing equally in the hard work of acting and creating imaginary world. I kept thinking I wanted to watch the show backstage because I know how complicated and coordinated but looks like very simple storytelling technique can be backstage. Wonderful commitment to the material to the effort to communicate well with an audience and makes up stories enjoyable relevant meaningful thoughtful."
Professor Megan Sanborn Jones (theatre critical studies and artistic director): "The thing I like most about Argonautika is the powerful female characters who don’t just contribute to the quest, but are revealed to be the most powerful figures. Unlike most contemporary narratives, where the women serve as a one-dimensional foil to a powerful mail character who is learning and growing, the opposite happens here. Jason, the “hero,” is the one-dimensional character who is manipulated by the goddesses Hera and Athena. The quest is only successful because of the intelligence, creativity, and magic of the girl Medea. Throughout the story, other women rise up as fabulous, flawed, powerful, engaged, and wise. This is the kind of theatre I’m so glad my children can see."
Professor Shelley Graham (dramaturgy, theatre studies): "Argonautika was a delightful experience for my whole family. My kids (ages 8, 10, 13, and 15) all loved it. They loved the anachronisms, like a giant who knows how to dab and a goddess who eats popcorn as she watches earthly events unfold. They had fun hiding golden fleece souvenirs in the lobby and meeting actors (who they recognized from mask clubs they had seen) in the Argonautika cast after the show."
FROM THE CAST
Ian Buckley (Tiphys, Apsytros): "The raw creative power of this cast, the willingness to try anything, is what has made this show what it is, and what has made it such an amazing piece to be a part of. This show has love and fire in it, and the way each cast member works with every other member is fantastic."
Jordan Peterson (Hylas): "This show was a blast to rehearse and prepare as a cast. This show has become a gift to perform for everyone who comes to see it. The two best things which have come from this show, for me, are the loving relationships I have been able to develop with the cast and crew and the wonder and magic I have seen in the eyes of those who got the opportunity to come watch."
Olivia Ockey (Medea, Pelias's son, Dryope): "I love every single person in the cast so much. The bonds we've formed both on and offstage have meant so much to me. My favorite part of performing has been seeing individuals in the audience light up. I love seeing the smiles on people's faces and knowing that I was able to help make that happen. Using this show that's brought me so much joy to bring joy to others has been a beautiful experience."
Dylan Wright (Jason): "This has been an experience to last time and eternity. I have been uplifted by the quicksilver talent of these unapologetic actors and creative co-conspirators. My mind has been enlightened and my system has been filled with light as a result of the relationships I have developed with the people in this show, and with the show itself. It has been an honor to work with such talent, and to learn from such master-class actors. My favorite part of performing is being able to connect with my co-actors, and to discover new things every time we perform. There is something exciting about the little moments of elevated humanity and connection in this show that encourage and inspire me."
Costner Henson (Idmon, Aeson): "Everyone involved in this show came together and created a whole new world. It has been so fun to create and explore this world together and to make meaningful relationships in the process. One of the most rewarding things is to hear people say that they became more invested in the show than they expected. I love discovering and developing my characters more and more each performance and enjoying the world we created together while continually adding to it."
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That wraps up our 2016-2017 mainstage theatre season at BYU. Thank you for reading our blog, learning more about this fantastic Mary ZImmerman interpreted of an epic Greek myth, and we look forward to you returning to our blog to read all about our 2017-2018 season. Our coming season is featured below! Visit https://arts.byu.edu/byu-theatre-2017-18-season/ for more information. Get excited!
This coming week we have an exciting opportunity to hear from members of the BYU English Department. During the summer, as we geared up for rehearsals and the production in the fall, Shelley Graham and I talked about how we could get more departments here on BYU campus involved with the productions. It occurred to me that we had a special opportunity here, since this play was an adaptation from the Victorian novel George Eliot wrote. Through some help, I was able to get in touch with Professor
by Amelia Johnson, Dramaturg Creating a show is a process. Though the run of the show is over, there was a lot more that went into the show than what was seen in those few weeks. Months before the run, the production team began meetings. They discussed the director’s vision for the show and began planning designs. Everything was approved of and discussed before lights were set, sets, were built, and the costume and makeup designs were implemented. This year, the costume and makeup designers drew inspiration from the local artist, James Christensen. Having passed away earlier this year, director Dallyn Bayles thought it would be nice to pay tribute to him in this way. Costume designer Dennis Wright was thrilled to base his designs of Christensen's style. He said, “What I really love about Christensen’s work is the whimsy that he incorporates into his characters. His distinctive use of patterns, layers and silhouette is really fun and distinctive. I wanted to be sure to capture that in the costume designs for this production. “I love this show, and the concept and design choices our team has made. I am excited to share it with our audience. As a big James Christensen fan, my one regret is that I didn’t actually get to meet the artist in person. I just returned to Utah last year and sadly, missed my chance. I am very grateful to be able to pay tribute to him in this small way”. Makeup and hair designer Sarah Bult also shared some of her thoughts. “After reading the script I looked through as many James Christensen paintings as I could find. I picked out textures, colors, broke it all down and paired certain characters with those elements. His artwork influenced everything from the shape and colors of hair down to the detail on the bead work of the hairpins. I loved that I could draw my inspiration from his work and create something that really embodied his artwork." Bult continued, “One thing I didn’t expect to be a challenge was that not many Christensen pieces have hair showing. This created a very unique and fun challenge for me. I had to look many different paintings, combine textures and colors, and use my own design style to come up with fun fairy tale hair and makeup styles that were reminiscent of Christensen’s artwork. I am very excited to see how all of the elements come together”. Join us on the 4th Wall next time to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes!
Last week, A Midsummer Night’s Dream opened in the Nelke Theatre and it was a great success! Eric and I were pleased to be a part of the opening night and celebrate not only the opening night of the production, but also the 40th anniversary of the Brigham Young University Young Company. In order to set the tone of the evening, patrons were encouraged to check out the lobby display that Eric and I had created for the show. We chose to do a puppet making station, aptly named “The Mechanicals Puppet Making Station” where guests and participants could make their own puppet out of a sock or paper bag. Other craft supplies were provided for the participants—allowing them to use their imagination and create a unique puppet that they could take home. Creating such a lobby display, we hoped to provide patrons, and especially children, with an opportunity to use their imagination and create something special, as well as connect with the style of the production before seeing the show. The role of puppetry is crucial to this adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream—and we wanted to capture this and incorporate it whatever lobby display we chose. The actor’s hard work and rehearsal, as well as that of the production team, paid off—they did a marvelous job in telling the story of these loopy lovers and the adventures that take place in the magical forest. The puppetry skills and acting chops of the actors, the enchanting costumes, simple set design, and energy from the whole cast was thoroughly enjoyed by the very diverse and supportive audience. It was a packed house: if not sold out, very close. And this definitely contributed to the energetic feeling that pervaded the evening. Perhaps it was the presence of so many alumni from the Young Company that had come to support the production and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the formation of Young Company. Among the guests at the premier were Harold Oaks, founder of the BYU Young Company. Following the play, a presentation was made outlining and honoring the history and legacy of Young Company. Young Company has done an outstanding job for the last 40 years in providing quality theatre (adaptations and original works alike) for children that may not be exposed to the performing arts. A wonderful reception followed the presentation and was well enjoyed by cast and crew alike. A Midsummer Night’s Dream closes at BYU this Saturday, the 14th. Make sure to get your tickets soon and catch this unique production while you can! It will then go on tour throughout Northern Utah, presenting its whimsical and humorous message to elementary school children. Following are some images from the Opening Night Gala!
