Transforming the stage

The Theatre Arts department is traveling back to the ancient world for its next main stage theatrical production.

“Metamorphoses,” a contemporary re-imagining of Ovid’s text, will run on the McKenna Theatre stage from Nov. 12 to 22. Nine ancient tales, including “Midas,” “Alcyone and Cexy,” “Myrrha,” and “Orpheus and Eurydice,” make up this innovative adaptation. The play is a poignant piece about transformation, using water as a metaphor for the ever-shifting tides of life.

“One of the key themes of ‘Metamorphoses’ is the notion that we are giving ‘scant attention to our mythic side’ these days,” said Nancy Saklad, assistant professor of performance at New Paltz and the play’s director. "The play states that, ‘myths are public dreams,’ and ‘dreams are private myths.’”

Audience members will be swept away by the cast and crew’s use of comedy, tragedy, movement, and poetic language to bring the story to life.

In addition to making up the cast, Theatre Arts students take part in all aspects of the play’s production from serving as stage managers to designing the show’s spectacular costumes.

Performances take place at 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office in Parker Theatre or by visiting the college’s ticket Web site.