St. Francis University's Center for Fine Arts to present original play 'Ekphrasis
Nov. 12—LORETTO — A story of love will be presented on an area stage.
St. Francis University's Center for Fine Arts will present "Ekphrasis" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 2 p.m. Nov. 19 at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto, 112 Franciscan Way on the St. Francis University campus.
The play, written by 2023 St. Francis University graduate Scott Riner, is an adaptation of the myth of Persephone, inspired by the collection "Return to Eden" by Pittsburgh artist Cara Livorio and Sarah Ruhl's play "Eurydice."
In the story, Hades is an uninspired artist in the "below" until he becomes aware of Kora (Persephone) and her relationship with flowers and life in the "above."
Hades makes Kora his muse, and he soon becomes full of life and fills the "below" with beautiful floral paintings.
Deceived by Hades' brother, Zeus, Kora finds her way to the "below," where Hades names her Persephone and asks her to stay with him.
Kora feels the pull of "above," especially the warmth of the sun and her mother's (Demeter's) love.
The play asks us to consider how we love ourselves, and others, in various contexts.
It also asks us to consider how we remember other parts and times of our life and memory itself.
"In granting the ones we love the agency to choose their own path in life is the most selfless act of love we can make," said Lance Mekeel, director of the production.
Serving as the backdrop for the performance is Livorio's exhibited work of gardenscapes.
"Scott and I developed the play from April through September, and in rehearsals we've tweaked it a little bit and made it set so that the actors could have something permanent to work with for this production," Mekeel said.
He said when audiences come there will be seating in the gallery, but it's functioning as a sort of spontaneous inspiration by three "bluebirds" who are there to witness the art and are reminded of this story of Hades and Persephone.
"The 'bluebirds' function much in the same way of a Greek chorus, where they provide narration for the story, but also are integral in the narrative itself," Mekeel said. "They are a part of the conversation of the play and have a civic function in the play to provide that voice for the community."
The production features a cast and crew of 25 students.
"I pride myself on providing a brave space for students to take risks and make choices and empower them to own the process, and I feel this is a real exemplar of that at work," Mekeel said. "They have taken on such great responsibility in bringing these words to life, and being involved in such a different experience for them they have embraced the role and made this project something really special."
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $7 for St. Francis University faculty and staff and $5 for students.
The Nov. 16 performance will be a fundraiser to benefit the Center for Fine Arts and SAMA and feature heavy hors d'oeuvres and wine, as well as an artist talk from Livorio. Cost is $50.
To order tickets, visit events.francis.edu/event/ekphrasis.
Kelly Urban is a reporter for The Tribune- Democrat. Follow her on Twitter @KellyUrban25.
