Theatre UCF brings The Bacchae to life 2

The Chorus Leader, played by graduate acting student Alessandra Almanza, talks to the other chorus members about the blasphemy of Pentheus’ words in Theatre UCF’s production of “The Bacchae” on Saturday at UCF’s Black Box Theatre. 

Phillip Mora Howard

Actors brought the stage to life as Theatre UCF presented its production of “The Bacchae” from Feb. 26 through Sunday at UCF’s Black Box Theatre.

“The Bacchae,” a play written by Euripides and translated by Emma Pauly, is an electrifying, interactive take on Euripides’ tale of gods, power and chaos, according to the College of Arts and Humanities website.

“This production invites us to consider how recognition, rather than suppression, might avert violence and how honoring authenticity can transform intolerance into community, and fear into understanding,” said Tara Kromer, UCF alumna and director of “The Bacchae,” in the show’s pamphlet.

Tickets were for sale for $25 or $10 with a UCF ID. Once students purchased their tickets, they were brought into the theater to find their seats until the show began.

The set, inspired by Greek landscapes, also integrated modern technology into its environment, including screens that characters could change with a remote, LED cables that illuminated the room with various colors and a projected screen that changed depending on the scene. 

“This play forces us to reflect on the timeless truth that intolerance and refusal to practice empathy have the devastating potential to destroy families and entire nations, from the inside out,” dramaturg Shannon Kletsel said in the pamphlet.

As the audience followed the tale of Dionysus’ return to Thebes, Dionysus made the audience a part of the story as the character raised their arms to the crowd, and in response, viewers were encouraged to make sounds by clapping and stomping. The chorus also involved the audience in the play as they interacted with them for short periods.

Theatre UCF brings The Bacchae to life 1

UCF actor Jake Perez, playing the role of Pentheus (left), passes through the audience speaking to Dionysus, played by Laura Banguero (right), during Theatre UCF’s production of “The Bacchae” on Saturday at the on-campus Black Box Theatre. Actors passed through the audience to bring viewers into the world of the play. 

 

Phillip Mora Howard

Rachel Correa, junior hospitality management major, attended the showing on March 7 for a class assignment. 

“The themes of power, chaos and divine influence is what reels the audience in,” Correa said.

Correa said the scenes and skills that are shown in the play made viewers feel as though they are transported into the performance, becoming so intrigued by “of what falls upon their eyes.”

“Euripides’ story is timeless because it reminds us that societies which refuse to acknowledge difference often provoke the very upheaval they fear,” Kromer said in the pamphlet.