The American Southwest Theatre Company at New Mexico State University Theatre Arts Presents THE EURYDICE PROJECT

The American Southwest Theatre Company at New Mexico State University Theatre Arts is pleased to present a new piece, THE EURYDICE PROJECT, from February 19 - March 7 at the Hershel Zohn Theatre on the NMSU campus. It is the fourth production of the 2009 - 2010 ASTC/NMSU Season.

Based on the mythological tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, in which Orpheus must travel to the underworld to save his beloved, THE EURYDICE PROJECT presents one of the greatest love stories ever told. Director Tom Smith finds it "more romantic, more heart-wrenching, and more tragic" than any other tale of love and loss.

THE EURYDICE PROJECT represents a new and exciting challenge for ASTC and NMSU Theatre Arts. Director Smith says, "our goal is to create theatre from a story, rather than a script. We're using the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice as the leaping off point and as a company we're creating not just the sets, costumes, sound, lights, and props, but also the dialogue, characters and plot. We aren't merely interpreting a play, but we are actively creating it. Las Cruces audiences will experience a production that has never been produced before, anywhere."

Smith, a head of the NMSU Department of Theatre Arts, leads an experienced production team into a new world of discovery. NMSU Theatre Arts faculty members take important design & production roles, including Jim Billings (scenery & lighting designer), Deb Brunson (costume designer), David Hereford (props designer), and Mike Wise (stage manager). NMSU Theatre Arts student Erica Powell will also be designing lights.

The cast features a number of talented NMSU students including Elyse Francis (Ophelia), Annabelle Lyttle (Eurydice), Natasha Sanchez (Sophia), Nikki Acosta (Hypatia), Erin McClure (Isodora), Roxanna De Luna (Zoe), Jessica Thierry (Maia), Kiera Quinn (Persephone), Ben Adams (Orpheus), Trevor Hodgkins (Aristaeus), and Sean Dolan (Philandros).

Director Smith believes the story is very "relevant today because it deals not just with the idea of fighting to win your love, but also to keep your love. We've all heard stories where the characters live happily ever after, but THE EURYDICE PROJECT explores how people sometimes have to struggle to stay together when presented with monumental obstacles."

THE EURYDICE PROJECT will be performed February 19 to March 7. Thursday performances begin at 7p, Friday and Saturday performances at 8p, and Sunday matinees at 2p. For more information call the NMSU Theatre/ASTC box office at 646-4515 or 1-800-646-ASTC.

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