by Kayla Hammer|

Picture this: The world in ruins, leather, and a life style of barbaric proportions. You’re probably thinking that this is a preview for another Resident Evil film. No, these are descriptions of the spring 2012 LHS play Medea presented on February 8-10 in the LGIR.
None of the above descriptions are what you would have expected the Greek play by Euripides to be like. Based on Greek mythology, the grudge-post apocalyptic set, built by Medea cast and crew, really sets the tone for the anger rooted in the story.
“There was still Greek influences with the columns but they were also really gritty and metallic,” said junior Jimmy Sitzman.
As an audience member who understood the mythology that inspired this play, there were some mixed feelings in what to expect. But once the red lighting hit the stage, an uneasy feeling was felt. There were no possible signs of what might be considered peaceful Greek landscaping, but twisted metal. Instead of a handsome Greek god sculpted out of marble, there was a sculpture of pipes that looked unstable.
“I give everything the old Johnson-Test, which means if I can climb it then they [cast] can,” Speech, Forensic, and Medea Director Don Johnson said.
Another interesting special effect in the play was the home of Medea’s character. Metal shingles as part of the door, it was believable and futuristic, once again taking away from the Greek and making the set original, fresh, and grunge.
“There were ropes rigged for a crew member to pull them up and down,” senior Libby Hill said. A simple effect, yet it drew the attention to the house.

An even more spectacular feat was when Medea was preaching to the gods on a platform. As Medea prayed, an audio replayed demonic voices over the speakers and smoke seem to come from no where beneath her, when in actuality, she stood over a hole from which the smoke poured out of. Worried about senior Kalyn Brown who starred as Medea? No need, it was approved and completely safe for audience members and cast.
“The play had a shock factor to it and was still appropriate. Guys had their shirts off with some bondage. Luke (Adams) was covered in blood. I don’t want to give away what happened but you’ll feel uncomfortable in a good way,” senior Kalyn Brown said.
All shock factors aside, one walks out with an impressed feeling, not just given by the words of the actors, but the hard work the crew put into Johnson’s design.
“It takes usually about four months to do a play and we did well as far as being on time. We worked up till the day of the show,” Johnson said.
Pressure for time doesn’t go just for the crew but also the actors.
“The set we worked on really brought out the characters we had to play. The audience has no idea how much work is put into the set. There is more to theater than just the acting,” junior Robert Louthain, who played Creon, said.
The cast, the crew, the director, and even the stage were essential in making a successful production, but to take a play that’s been done many times and make it original is a challege. A challenge that everyone working on Medea nailed.