Many individuals who work in live theatre get into the craft for its power to bring people together in shared moments.
The Fountain School of Performing Arts's final stage production of the season offers a propulsive, action-packed epic that's sure to encourage that spirit.
"It's a real ode to the power of storytelling," says Guest Director Ken Schwartz of The Odyssey, which runs this week on the Sir James Dunn Theatre Stage.
Schwartz, who is artistic director with Two Planks and a Passion Theatre, has been working with Dal students across multiple disciplines to bring Rick Chafe's award-winning adaptation of the Homer classic to life.
Chafe's adaptation simultaneously interwines three separate stories into one: Odysseus's voyage home from Troy, the tale of Penelope’s struggle to hold on to a kingdom in the face of vengeful suitors and, at the centre, the story of a family reconciling amidst the backdrop of a civil war.
Benton Elliott as Young Odysseus, left, and Bree Torgrimson as Circe.
“The character-driven comedy in Chafe’s adaptation, especially amongst a family, is quite beautiful,” says Schwartz. “It brings us closer to believing in these people amongst all these monsters and supernatural forces. We believe in the reality of this family that's brought back together.”
The Odyssey runs March 24-27 at 7:30 pm, with a 2:30pm matinee and closing night 7:30 pm evening show on March 28.
Buy tickets now: The Odyssey
Telling the story together
Eden Reshef, a Theatre student graduating this spring, served as set designer on the production.
“I really adore the idea of creating a visual world on stage that actors and audiences can come and live in every single night,” says Eden. As a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in design and acting, her experience in these different disciplines informs her design choices to enrich the playing space.
“I want to design sets that are thrilling to act on.”
Ensemble of The Odyssey. Featuring Benton Elliott, front-centre, as Young Odysseus, with (back left-to-right )Bree Torgrimson as Circe, Rachel Chew, Ella Haefele, Alina Kogas as Sirens and Jacob Ives as Telemachus.
Eden’s set has become the figurative and literal foundation for the production. Her decisions have impacted the cast and crew’s practical and creative choices, from the volume of headsets for stage managers to how the actors block scenes.
The set itself is a collaborator.
“The set itself is a collaborator,” says Schwartz. “It invites you to explore how you are telling the story, by virtue of being there. Its contribution is immense.”
Graduating technical theatre student Thunder Defayette, the production’s lighting designer, has been closely involved in seeing the set come together and adapting to the creative lighting opportunities and challenges it presents.
“One of the things so unique about the Fountain School is that our sets are built right into the rehearsal space,” says Thunder. “It’s a gorgeous set, and it’s really helpful for everyone involved — especially the scenic carpenters — to experience it being built day by day.”
L-R: Set Designer Eden Reshef, Director Ken Schwartz, and Lighting Designer Thunder Defayette.
Thunder’s design plays a vital storytelling role, with more than 150 lighting cues that deepen the world Eden’s set brings to life.
“Virtually everything will be facilitated by Thunder's creations,” says Schwartz,” because in this particular show, light is the glue that's going to keep everything together.”
Full production credits available here
Learning through doing
Dalhousie’s Theatre program immerses students in hands‑on learning throughout all four years, emulating a professional theatre environment. Students in design leadership roles collaborate with crew members in positions they themselves once held, making strong communication skills and trust essential.
As set designer, Eden must eventually hand off her drawings and samples to the creators on the carpentry and scenic crews.
“They’re going to build my plans, but it's with their own artistic flair, which is a beautiful part of the process. They are the builders and creators now. I am the dreamer and architect.”
Alina Kogas as Hermes, left, and Benton Elliott as Young Odysseus.
Thunder, who has worked in lighting and as head electrician on past productions, enjoys mentoring students who are in early years of the program.
“Over the past four years, I've worked with artists at my level, emerging people, as well as established figures within the theatre community,” says Thunder. “It’s been one of the great joys of my life, and I'm hoping to be able to continue it.”
Ready for what's next
DalTheatre’s applied learning environment provides a safe space for students to fail and grow, to establish professional relationships, and to slowly evolve from emerging artists into accomplished ones, ready for work.
“Eden and Thunder are both very thoughtful, creative and, above all, I think, and this is in part a tribute to the Fountain School, they are intensely aware of what it means to be a good collaborator,” says Schwartz. “To see the quality of both the teaching and the artistry come together, that's lightning in a bottle.”
Rachel Chew as Athena.