OUT OF RUINS Uses Classic Greek Mythology to Shine Light on Life During Adolescence
The
students of Rindge Avenue Upper Campus have been furiously at work
preparing for their annual Spring self-written musical. Having started
rehearsal in October, the students meet regularly with their music
teacher Joshua DeWitte and their theater teacher Summar Elguidy. This
year the theme chosen was “Greek Mythology.” The script uses three Greek
myths, Persephone, Orpheus, and Eurydice, and Helios and Phaethon, to
weave a story about the trials of adolescence. The Persephone myth
touches on the struggles of growing away from your parents while wanting
to stay protected by them, Orpheus and Eurydice about loosing your
first love, and Helios and Phaethon about confronting a deadbeat parent.
Mr. Dewitte and Ms. Elguindy work with their students to choose a
theme and a plot. The teaching duo then leads the students in
improvisation exercises that help with scene development. After a draft
of a scene is written the collaborators edit it to perfection and work
it into the greater script. As the students work through the scenes Ms.
Elguindy leads them to find motivation, relationship and character. The
ensemble carefully studies the text together and makes adjustments as
they go. The students rehearse the music with Mr. DeWitte who chooses
the song selections with the students. The songs used are contemporary
pop songs that have been adjusted to advance the plot. Some of the songs
included are The Show, Everything, and Yellow Light which are
brilliantly arranged for the stage.
After a lengthy democratic process where titles such as Rubble, and Who We Are were up for consideration, the title Out of Ruins was chosen, a name that signifies the new being inspired by the old.
The
excitement for the show is palpable in rehearsal; it is clear that the
students cannot wait for performance. Ms. Elguindy and Mr. DeWitte have
infused the musical with a balance of relatable themes and classic
stories so the students are both learning the relevance of the Greek
Classics and how to safely share aspects of their own personal stories
onstage.
OUT OF RUINS opens June 4th at 7PM at the
Rindge Avenue Upper Campus, 70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge, Ma. There will
be an in school performance June 5th followed by a closing performance
on June 6th at 7PM.