‘Daughters of Leda’
Ohio Wesleyan’s Upcoming Play Turns History Upside Down in Four Performances Oct. 7-9
DELAWARE, Ohio – The Fates are tired and ready for vacation. But to leave the underworld, they have to give back the stories they have exploited.
In a whirlwind of events, Adam and Eve, Leda (and the Swan), Helen, Clytemnestra, Iphigenia, and Electra all come together in playwright Madeline Sayet’s “Daughters of Leda” to choose their own destinies and share their side of the stories that have instilled fear of feminine knowledge for far too long.
Ohio Wesleyan University’s Department of Performing Arts will present four performances of “Daughters of Leda” at 8 p.m. Oct. 7-8 and at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Oct. 9. The production is being directed by Cortney Knipp, M.F.A., assistant professor of theatre.
“‘Daughters of Leda’ is full of the stories that have, consciously or not, shaped our understanding of the world,” said Knipp, who joined Ohio Wesleyan this fall. “Sayet’s fun and piercing writing, combined with the brave and connected work of our ensemble, has created an opportunity for audiences to re-examine their notions of fate and femininity.”
Those who attend the show are in for a unique evening, Knipp said. “We’ve moved this play into a promenade-style experience,” she said, “meaning that our audience moves throughout the set from scene to scene and experiences these epic stories in an intimate production.”
In addition to “Daughters of Leda,” playwright Sayet also has penned works including “Where We Belong,” “Antigone,” and “Up and Down the River.” For her work as a writer and director, Sayet has been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 in Hollywood & Entertainment, designated as a TED Fellow, and received a White House Champion of Change Award from former President Barack Obama.
Fifteen Ohio Wesleyan students are performing in “Daughters of Leda.” The students, their hometowns, and their roles are:
- Dyna Bresson of Columbus, Ohio, as Leda/Mother.
- Ernest Chando of Yonkers, New York, as Snake/Voice of Agamemnon.
- Emily Clausing of Portsmouth, Ohio, as Helen.
- Marcos Crespo of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, as Sky/Swan.
- Camy Dodd of Cincinnati, Ohio, as Spin.
- Alex Dolph of Middletown, Ohio, as Persephone.
- Aaron Eicher of West Salem, Ohio, as Hades.
- Catie Hyatt of Lodi, Ohio, as Electra.
- Marvella Kurniawan of West Jakarta, Indonesia, as Chrysothemis.
- Sam Miller of Oakwood, Ohio, as Measure.
- Millie Rocco of Vancleave, Mississippi, as Clytemnestra.
- Elizabeth Sumoza of Chicago, Illinois, as Cut.
- Isabelle Tinti-Kane of Marblehead, Massachusetts, as Iphigenia/Girl.
- Maja Todorovic of Chicago, Illinois, as Alex/Eve.
- Evan Van Deusen of Chattanooga, Tennessee, as Adam.
Eight Ohio Wesleyan students are serving in the show’s production crew. These students, their hometowns, and their roles are:
- Abbie Courtright of Lancaster, Ohio, assistant costume designer/costume head.
- Ami Hartshorne of Columbus, Ohio, light board operator/light crew.
- Jasmine Lew of Fremont, California, sound designer.
- Danny Rodriguez Hijo of Plain City, Ohio, publicity head.
- Daniel Smith of Columbus, Ohio, assistant stage manager.
- Gwen Toves of Dublin, Ohio, costume crew.
- Chloe Williams of Wilmington, Ohio, stage manager.
- Ran Ye of Riverside, California, props designer.
In addition, set and costume design is by play director Knipp and lighting design is by Chadwyn Knutson, M.F.A., part-time theatre instructor and technical director of Chappelear Drama Center.
“Daughters of Leda” will be performed on the Main Stage of OWU’s Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave., Delaware. Guests will need to wear facial coverings and follow other public health guidelines.
Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for senior citizens and non-Ohio Wesleyan students, and free for Ohio Wesleyan students with a valid OWU ID. To reserve tickets, visit owu.edu/DaughtersOfLedaTickets. For questions, contact the OWU box office at (740) 368-3855.
For more information about the play, OWU’s 2021-2022 performance schedule, or studying theatre or dance at Ohio Wesleyan, visit owu.edu/PerformingArts.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature program, The OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to integrate knowledge across disciplines, build a diverse and global perspective, and apply knowledge in real-world settings. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “Best Colleges” lists. Learn more at owu.edu.