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MSU Department of Theatre presents The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

The Department of Theatre at Michigan State University will present The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood as part of its new Storefront Theatre Initiative. Performances run October 5-9 in the Studio 60 Theatre in the MSU Auditorium Building. 

Oscar Rodriguez Quiroz (left), who plays the role of “Male Character,” and Mona Eldahshoury (right), who plays the role of Penelope.

“The Storefront Theatre Initiative shows focus on dynamic roles to showcase and challenge the Department’s acting students by emulating the storefront production model that many will encounter following graduation,” said Rob Roznowski, Head of Acting for the Department of Theatre. “Creative teams are challenged to work with limited resources and shorter rehearsal periods, with an emphasis on the elements they can control — writing, acting, and directing.” 

Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s novel by the same name, The Penelopiad is a feminist re-telling of Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, from the perspective of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. Using both prose and verse in modern language, the play brims with compelling symbolism and will leave audiences yearning for more.    

Six people surround one woman who is sitting
Cast members with Jewell Redman (center) rehearsing for The Penelopiad.

This play marks the premiere production of the Department’s new Storefront Theatre Initiative.  

“What’s delighted me most about [the Storefront Theatre] process has been the ingenuity of the ensemble to build the world of the show through movement and sound, as well as objects found in the rehearsal space and brought from home,” said Director Abbie Cathcart, MFA Acting ’21. “It’s very bare-bones in essence but doesn’t feel that way once all the elements come together. The actors’ creativity is the heartbeat of this production and that’s very exciting.” 

Performance Dates & Times  

  • Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.  
  • Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.  
  • Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. 
  • Friday, October 8, 2021, at 8 p.m.   
  • Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 8 p.m. 

Tickets 

Tickets for The Penelopiad are $10 for general admission.  

  • Online: theatre.msu.edu/penelopiad 
  • At the door: Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to curtain. Check or credit card only, no cash.  

For more information on the show and other MSU Department of Theatre productions, visit the Department of Theatre 2021-2022 Season web page.

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