West Virginia University Theatre students are in the Greenbrier Valley through Friday, April 2, presenting the children’s playThe Odysseyat area high schools and middle schools.
Based on Homer’s classic Greek poem, it is a delightful story that includes monsters, sailors, underworld characters and beautiful creatures. Directed by Joann Siegrist, head of the WVU Children’s Theatre and Puppetry Program, the play also features puppet characters.
The ancient Greeks were the great mythmakers of Europe and gave us the amazing stories told about gods, heroes, demons and animals that we call Mythologia,Siegrist said.The strength of Greek mythology lies in a strong story plot and a set of characters readily understood. It is also rich in people willing to strike out on a new path in search for adventure, discovery or riches.
We hope that our production inspires what classics have done for centuries-create dreams and hope for the future.
The play was performed at Harman High School and Tygart Valley Middle/High School on Monday, March 29; Greenbrier West and Eastern Greenbrier Junior High School on Tuesday, March 30; and Nicholas County High School on Wednesday, March 31. It will also be performed at Pocahontas County High School on Thursday, April 1, and at James Monroe High School on Friday, April 2. In addition, there will be a performance at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in Lewisburg on April 1 and 2.
Along with the performances ofThe Odyssey,Professor Siegrist and the WVU Theatre students will be conducting workshops with the students in the schools.
The cast ofThe Odysseyincludes: Marc Friedman; Heather Dierickx; Anthony Edwards; Jamie Froemel; Brandon Gowen; Chris Greco; Robbie Griffith; Pascale Piquion; Claire Beaudreault; and Kara Upton.
The production staff includes scenery designer William Winsor, costume designer Troy Snyder, puppet/mask designer Jessica Greene, lighting designer Wendy Gathers and technical director Victor McQuiston. Stage manager is Katie Dunn, and tour manager is Jamie Bosley.
The visit to the Greenbrier Valley is made possible through a grant from The Daywood Foundation, Inc. Arthur Spencer Dayton, a native of Philippi, was a 1907 graduate of West Virginia University and a 1908 graduate of the WVU College of Law. He and his wife, Ruth Woods Dayton, were married in 1916.
After receiving a master’s degree from Yale University, Dayton returned to Philippi to practice law until 1923. He then moved to Charleston to become a member of the law firm of Blue, Dayton and Campbell. In 1945, the firm was reorganized as Dayton, Campbell and Love. At the time of his death in 1948 at the age of 61, Dayton was still in practice with Harry V. Campbell and Charles M. Love, Jr. The Daywood Foundation primarily funds projects in Kanawha county, and southern West Virginia.