Brazilian Dreams featuring Paquito D'Rivera and the New York Voices
October 16th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - Legendary National Endowment for the Arts jazz master Paquito D’Rivera sought out the renowned Gramm Learn More...
Concertante
October 21st, 2008 at 8:00 pm - Founded in 1995 by Juilliard graduates, these six virtuoso string players are gifted young artists w Learn More...
Regina Carter, jazz violin
October 28th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - Renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter brings her band to Clemson. The recipient of a MacArthur Fell Learn More...
Corinthian Trio
November 6th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - The Corinthian Trio is comprised of three of the most successful performers of their generation. To Learn More...
Clemson University Choral Ensembles
November 11th, 2008 at 8:00 pm - Clemson’s talented choral ensembles present a varied program of traditional and seasonal selections. Learn More...
Clemson Players Use
Greek Mythology To Explore Beauty
“The Cult of Aphrodite,” an original play developed by the Clemson Players dramatizing ancient myths that focus on ideas of beauty is being presented at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University from Nov. 11-18.
An ensemble-created play, “The Cult of Aphrodite” interprets Greek mythology through the lens of contemporary culture and takes the audience on a journey from Mount Olympus to the fashionable catwalks of Paris. “The play explores the human quest for beauty throughout time,” said the show’s director, Carrie Ann Collins. “The plays asks, 'What is Beauty? Can it be defined? Are we obsessed with it?'"
In the play, Aphrodite, goddess of beauty, leads a cult of gods, goddesses and mortals who worship her, leaving them susceptible to her power. The character of Psyche, a beautiful mortal, finds herself in a futuristic high-glamour nightclub, interacting with the likes of Aphrodite, Narcissus, Zeus and Paris, and begins a journey to discover true love: the invisible beauty. The complications she encounters explore how the many ideas of beauty influence every aspect of our lives. Psyche discovers beauty is power, beauty is an obstacle and beauty is dangerous, among other lessons throughout her journey.
“Set in a timeless world, the play illustrates stories and themes that have been around since ancient times,” said Collins, a Clemson theater professor. “Whether we like it or not, we are all part of a society that worships beauty in some form or another.”
To develop the script for the pla, Collins led students and colleagues in the performing arts department in an exploration of Greek mythology and ideas of celebrity. “The ensemble researched the origins of myths, the characters they play, the musings of celebrity culture, as well as humanity's quest for ultimate beauty to create the new work for the stage."
In addition to words, the play uses movement, music and dance to portray some of the ideas discovered during the development phase of the production. “In less than five weeks,” Collins added, “the ensemble turned their raw ideas—in some cases imaginative brainstorming—into a script. That script was then turned into a live performance.”
“The Cult of Aphrodite" will be performed in the 100-seat Bellamy Theatre. The play begins at 8 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, Nov. 11-14, and Friday, Nov. 16. Matinee performances beginning at 3 p.m. are on Sunday, Nov. 11 and 18.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
