Nov 17, 2020

With safety in mind, Central thespians to present 'Antigone'

Posted Nov 17, 2020 1:02 PM
<b>The Salina Central Theatre production of 'Antigone.'</b> Photos courtesy CHS Theatre
The Salina Central Theatre production of 'Antigone.' Photos courtesy CHS Theatre

Thespian Troupe 639 at Salina Central High School is as determined as the featured character in the group's upcoming theatre production, and not even a pandemic can keep the troupe down.

The Central actors are scheduled to perform the Greek tragedy Antigone this weekend in the Central High auditorium. Performance times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, the performance will be livestreamed on Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.

Safety measures will be in place for the performances with distanced seating, as well as masks being worn by the performers, staff, and audience throughout the production. Seating will be limited to under 25 percent of capacity, according to information from the school. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrances.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time to reduce a wait at the box office, and are $10 for adults and $5 for students, while livestreaming is $10 for an individual or $20 for a family.

“This has been a really interesting experience considering how many precautions we have to follow to stay safe and healthy, it has definitely taught me to rely more on myself as an actress and stay in tune with my actions. I really enjoy playing such a strong female lead, and the distance has given me the chance to build that strength and figure it out for myself, rather than relying on usual acting tactics,” said senior Avery Smith, who plays the title role of Antigone in Central High production.

Antigone is the final play in a series of Theban plays written by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles and adapted by David Feldshuh. The action of Antigone follows on from the Theban civil war, in which the two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, died fighting each other for the throne of Thebes after Eteocles had refused to give up the crown to his brother as their father Oedipus had prescribed. Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has declared that Eteocles is to be honored and Polynices is to be disgraced by leaving his body unburied on the battlefield (a harsh and shameful punishment at the time).

As the play begins, Antigone vows to bury her brother Polynices’ body in defiance of Creon‘s edict, although her sister Ismene refuses to help her, fearing the death penalty. Creon, with the support of the Chorus of Elders, repeats his edict regarding the disposal of Polynices’ body, but a fearful sentry enters to report that Antigone has in fact buried her brother’s body.

“We are excited to perform again and are ready to present a stellar production for our audience whether the audience is a small distanced and masked audience or our virtual audience for our livestream on November 27th,” said senior Spencer Angell, president of Troupe 639 and playing the role of Creon.

The dueling protagonists of Antigone and Creon are supported by the other members of the cast including: senior Joshua Cunningham playing Creon’s son, Haemon; junior Charles Goldbach playing the Chorus Leader; junior Tyler Campbell playing the role of the Guard; senior Erin Flax playing the role of Antigone’s sister, Ismene; senior Tobi Duckworth playing the role of the soothsayer Tiresias; senior Sophie Lenkiewicz playing Creon’s wife, Eurydice; junior Josh Warner playing the role of the Messenger; and members of the Greek chorus and citizens of Thebes: Madelynn Nash (senior), Joelle Pfannenstiel (senior), Lillie Myers (junior), Ethan Henry (junior), Ben Campbell (freshman), Sophie Craft (senior), Chloe Highsmith (sophomore), Emma Kelly (junior), Cyric Dow (senior), Maddi Farthing (junior), and Hana North (senior).

Harper Johnston (sophomore) is stage managing. Other members of the crew include: Isabella Rubino (senior), Peyton Wood (junior), Ivan Solis (senior), Will Ebel (freshman), and Chloe White (senior).