The St. Ambrose University Theatre Department is bringing a new level of emotion to the studio theater with its production of Eurydice, a modern retelling of the Greek myth that shifts the story’s focus toward themes of love, memory, and loss.
Unlike the lighter productions the department has put on in recent years, Eurydice challenges the cast to lean into heavier emotional material. Senior actor Ebby Barber said the production is a very emotionally intensive show, adding that it offers a different experience compared to past performances.
“It’s kind of different from what we’ve done in the past acting-wise… it’s not like the silly shows, like Pirates of Penzance,” Barber explained.
Barber shared that rehearsals have been especially focused on understanding the characters’ inner feelings.
“We go over each scene in depth so many times… like, what does this line mean to the character?” she said. “Then we talk about ‘What do you think she’s feeling in this moment?’… and that makes the emotional aspect a little bit easier because you’re really feeling it in the moment as well.”
Backstage crews have played an equally important role in shaping the show. Senior Callie Thomas, part of the backstage management team, said rehearsal days involve sweeping, cleaning, setting up stuff that needs to be prepped, running the show, and working through cues. For her, seeing the final production come together is the most rewarding part.
“I get very proud,” Thomas said. “Everyone in their place, just seeing everything come to life.”
Eurydice enters its final weekend with shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Galvin Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $15, with the first 10 students admitted free at each performance.
