Glass Mind Theatre to Present ANTIGONE, 8/16-25

By: Jul. 19, 2013
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"Bring water and movement clothes," says Lynn Morton. When she tells them they'll be sweating for two to three hours, it's not for a hot yoga class, but Glass Mind's new adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone. Bound by fate, the titular heroine can either choose love and a life of privilege, or do what she feels is right. Her decision is a matter of life or death.

"The physical intensity opens people up," Morton says, "because they have to rely on their base experiences." She says that the physical work creates a trust in her actors. "You have to be willing to say yes to everything your partner is doing."

The self-proclaimed "nerd for Greek theatre" is a fan Viewpoints -a technique that centers on the actor's relationship with time and space. Viewpoints helps develop character, build an ensemble, and create what Morton calls the show's "physical score". Glass Mind's Managing Director insists that it's more than stage directions but how the actors communication with each other onstage.

"Sometimes we get so self-absorbed that we don't see the ripple effect of our actions." Illustrating this, Morton works with five scripts instead of one. She's collaging Oedipus Rex, the rarely-produced Oedipus at Colonus, and multiple versions of Antigone. "You get so much perspective from Oedipus....it brings a great color to Antigone." Oedipus at Colonus revolves around Oedipus' choice of where to be buried, which Morton says is a catalyst for the events in Antigone.

"I think it's important to remind audiences where Antigone comes from. That impacts a lot of her decision," she says. "What's her sin? We need to know the reason for her choices."

Morton's focusing on family, and points out that Creon who (SPOILER ALERT) sentences Antigone to her death, is actually her uncle. She's choosing not to set the version in a specific time period, and her approach asks questions. Are some characters dead? Are they all dead? In this world, it's possible that the same story gets told in a continuous loop.

Antigone runs August 16 - 25 at EMP, 307 West Baltimore Street. Shows are Friday and Saturdays at 8, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.glassmindtheatre.com and (443) 475-0223. Follow the company Facebook.com/Glass MindTheatre and at twitter.com/GlassMindThtr.

"A lot of people turn their noses up at Greek and I think they need to give Greek a chance. It's got higher stakes than anything you're gonna see onstage."

Glass Mind's Mission Statement: We are Baltimore-rooted artists exploring the boundaries of the theatrical experience through interactive concepts. We collaborate with emerging voices and engage the Greater Baltimore community to develop original, innovative works full of risk, joy, and whimsy. We aspire to use creativity as a catalyst for dialogue, outreach, and reflection. As our city evolves, we hope to be a focal point for its artistic growth.



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