Looking at the pictures that I have collected the production dates don’t seem to differ on the shows technical aspects. From costumes to lights and sets a Greek tragedy is still beautifully put on compared to ones that I found that were produced less that a year ago.
One of the sets that caught my eye was the wheel that was made for Seven Against Thebes by Aeschylus put on by La MaMa (2004). Knowing the technical side o theatre a wheel that size is usually not something that can be easily hidden in the wings not built. Not only did the show need a wheel but one that can support multiple men while moving.
Another image that really caught my attention was Melbourne’s 2005 production of Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus. Having the light skinned frail body in a white costume up against a darker background just draws my attention. Not only are there shadows in the background but they throw in an aquamarine color. I think having a color into a black and white scheme gives a scene much meaning; in this case the colors help define the girls emotions.
Out of all the productions photos I found there was only one production I found that appeared to be modernized. This production was American Repertory Theatre’s The Children of Heracles by Euripides (2003). Two of the characters pictured in this photo are in camouflage pants, normally associated with the armed forces. Also, if you look closely the man photographed in the picture is wearing dog tags.
The production photo I found for The Oresteia by Aeschylus put on by Constellation Theatre Company in May of 2008 reminded me of the video “Stomp the Yard” that you played in our class showing us the origin of theatre. By the looks of their poses in the production photo they are somewhere in a dance sequence. A thing I noticed about the body pant on the actors was that it literally goes from head to toe. The girl in the front of the picture is doing some kick and it appears like she has a black or dark green paint on the bottom of her foot.
A picture that I found very interesting was the production of Oedipus the King by Sophocles put on by the University of Utah in 2002. The pictures were taken outside because that’s where they performed. I thought this was very interesting to bring the production outside since that is where Greek Theatre originated-in an outdoor theatre. One reason that also drew me to this picture was because I was able to relate to it with the outdoor productions we have put on here at Sam Houston State. As an audience member I found highly enjoyable being outside in the open doors, it showed me a new side of the campus that I had never seen or had stopped to take in nature’s beauty. Having a show or a theatre outside shows the audience another side to Mother Nature.
