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Health & Fitness

Rider University Theatre Presents Metamorphoses October 30 - November 3

Rider University Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning play Metamorphoses, directed by Trent Blanton, Wednesday, October 30 through Sunday, November 3 in the Yvonne Theater on the campus of Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

Written and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman, the play is based on the myths of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. From King Midas to Eurydice, familiar myths and fables are interwoven and set in a pool of water, which will constructed on the Yvonne Theater’s stage.

“I had this idea of doing myths in water. You know it's such a maritime culture and story, these Greek and Roman myths, and in this case with Metamorphoses, it's so much about transformation and change and water,” Zimmerman said about the original production in an interview for PBS’ ArtBeat.  “The water is so real. And it helps the actors a great deal, it stands in for very literal things: They row in it and when the oars hit the water, that's not something that's a recorded sound or manufactured. It's like actually happening. But then the water is also very metaphorical. So it stands in for grief -- when they are grief-stricken, they take handfuls of water and put it on their face and they look tear-stained. Or it’s very, very sensual. Or they dissolve into it. And then sometimes it's just like a swimming pool, and then it's very funny when it's suddenly used literally.”

Trent Blanton is assistant professor of theatre at Rider University’s Westminster College of the Arts.  His directing credits at Rider include The Crucible, The Laramie Project, Anatomy of Grey and Striking 12.  A member of Actor’s Equity, Blanton’s professional acting credits include: Les Miserables, A Christmas Carol, 1776, Fiddler on the Roof; A Christmas Carol, Romeo & Juliet; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, The Taming of the Shrew,  and Masada. He played virtually every major city in North America in the Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables. He was also in the Chinese premiere of Les Miz in 2002 with Colm Wilkinson at the Shanghai Grand Theatre.  At Rider he teaches acting and movement.  He is also an active presenter with the Southeastern Theater Conference and a production respondent for the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival.

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Rider University’s Theatre program has a rich tradition of preparing students for successful careers in all aspects of the theater. Graduates of the program are working with national theater companies, in film and on television. The Rider University campus productions have earned critical praise for more than 50 years and offer the community the opportunity to see aspiring actors in the early stages of their careers. 

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at the door, through the box office at 609-896-7775 or online at www.rider.edu/arts. General admission preview tickets are $9 and are only available at the door.  For more information, visit rider.edu/arts.

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