Marcus Smith
Lantern Staff
“Antigone” is a Greek tragedy that is taking stage at Butler Community College. Professor of Theatre and Speech Sam Sparks, who is directing “Antigone,” has directed other plays at Butler such “Frankenstein: A New Musical,” which took the stage during the fall semester. The play’s opening night is on Thursday, April 19, through Saturday, April 21.
Sophomore Allison Pieschl is playing the role of Antigone. Pieschl has played significant roles in past plays, her most recent being Ms. Chadwick in “Completely Frank.” She was also in the first play of the school year “Twentieth Century,” and she was the stage manager of “Frankenstein.”
“My favorite part of the play is that it shows people in some of their most vulnerable states,” Pieschl said. “Vulnerability is something intimate and not seen very often. I also think this show in particular encourages audience members to appreciate and understand all people’s points of view.”
The play is a French adaptation of the Greek tragedy that is based on the Greek myth of the Oedipus cycle, and Oedipus is Antigone’s father. The play is about Antigone, a young princess, who is standing up to her uncle Creon, the king. This version was written in 1943-44 in Nazi occupied France, so it has its differences from the Greek version.
“Antigone” is a Greek tragedy that will differ from more recent plays that have taken the stage such as “Twentieth Century,” a comedy, and “Completely Frank,” a children’s play. “Antigone” will closely resemble Sparks’ production of “Frankenstein: A New Musical.” Sparks explained that they are similar in their messages and their sense of darkness.
There are many things the audience can take from this play because of the seriousness to it, and they should take from it what they wish.
“I think they should come to it because I think it will be very thought provoking for them,” Sparks said. “I think they will see some of the modern struggles of the youth in it. They will be able to relate to it.”
Freshman Derek Alcorn, who is playing the role of Haemon, is Creon’s son and is engaged to Antigone. Alcorn has had a part in past theatre productions during the 2017-2018 school year.
“This isn’t a show you just come and sit through, where the conflict is resolved and everybody lives a happy ending,” Alcorn said. “This play is {going to} be a critical thinking trigger. There are two main viewpoints in this show, Creon and Antigone. It is up to the audience which side they choose and why.”
There will be reserved seating during the theatre production of “Antigone,” so when patrons purchase their tickets, they will also choose a seat to sit in. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office located in the 700 building.
“Razor Burn,” directed by Professor of Theatre and Speech Bob Peterson, was a theater workshop production that was hosted on Friday, April 9, in the Black Box Theatre in Room 766 in the Fine Arts building.
“Razor Burn” is a one-act play that is about what it is like to be in a production when it goes wrong. The cast of “Antigone” will also be at this play to tell the audience about the production.
There will also be a showing of another one-act show, “Hard Part,” a production about an uncle and a nephew as they struggle with family relationships. The Black Box theatre is limited to 50 people, and admission is free.
“All of the shows have been amazing, but do vary in content and delivery, which gives all acting students an opportunity to experience different genres,” Pieschl said.
