ETSU’s Bud Frank Theatre was full of energy last week when the ETSU Division of Theatre and Milligan College presented the Greek tragedy Oedipus the King by Sophocles.
Cast members included James Cronin (Oedipus), Amy Tallmadge (Iokaste), Adam K. Meyers (Creon), Paul Blowers (Teiresias), Carrie Smith (priest/choral leader), Ben Buckner (messenger from Corinth), Roger Price (shepherd), Jonathan Hall and Mikal Joplin (messengers from palace), Amber Carderelli, Will Coleman, Erin Estep, Jefferson Harvin, Khristan McKay, Nathan Moffett, Julie Roberts, Rebecca Schaffer, E.T. Tarlton, Annie Tipton, Crystal VanMeter, Lauren Vernon, Lindsey Vogt, and Matthew Weedman (members of the chorus).
Directed by Dick Major, director of theatre at Milligan, the cast included Milligan and ETSU students. Oedipus the King was the first collaboration by the schools.
Equal time and effort were immersed into the production. The students say they would love to do it again.
“Everyone worked so well together,” said Julie Roberts. “We pooled our talents.”
Oedipus was brought back from the theatre vault by the schools and given a modern feel.
“We managed to blend the classical with a modern twist,” said Amy Tallmadge. “We did justice to one of the best classical plays ever written.”
Oedipus caught the attention of the audience from the rising of the curtain with the musical chorus beating their sticks on the ground and relaying the story of a man cursed. Whispering, chanting and singing the chorus played a major role in the story of a man doomed to kill his father and marry his mother.
Oedipus’ voice was at times booming and his tearful scenes and struggles were clearly emitted to the audience.
Costumes were another collaboration. Ideas were tossed from director to designer and back many times before the colorful ensembles made the cut. Hours of sweat, not just fabric, went into the designs.
“Being new to theatre I was challenged with the designing the hair,” said Corey Sutton, the wig designer. “I looked all sorts of places for ideas.”
Not only did the theatre departments pool talent, but the masks were also made by Karen Brewster’s classes at ETSU.
“We all had a great time with the show and the people from Milligan,” said Brewster, the costume designer.
Packed houses and praises from family and friends made the production even more rewarding the actors say.
More great things are expected from the Milligan and ETSU theatre departments both combined and separately.

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