Connie Colombo, from Hazleton, lists, in her theatre experience, roles in Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Grease (as Rizzo), Godspell, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, and The Wiz. She also performed with her high school marching band as bandfront, band proper, dance team, and drum major, and has performed at Walt Disney World five times.

Mike Fry, from Benton, PA, is a freshman Communications major. In high school, Mike played in Fiddler on the Roof, and here at Hazleton plays on the campus baseball team. He is making his campus theatrical debut with this show.

Joe Gaita first appeared onstage with The Alchemist in Spring 1997, and played director Thomas Strizh in last semester's production of Black Snow. From Cresco, PA, Joe is a sophomore Telecommunications major, and is president of Hazleton Campus Video.

Michael E. Gravely, is a freshman exploring his options in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Last semester he played numerous roles in Black Snow, including Andrei, the assistant, and Moliére. Michael comes to us from Whitehall, PA.

Marisa Christine Guza is a non-traditional student from Hazleton majoring in Nursing. She has been wanting to be involved with theatre here on campus for some time, and is now making her theatrical debut with this show.

Kimberly Herrmann, from Greentown, PA, is a freshman education major. Last semester Kim played various roles in Black Snow, including Rudolfi's landlady and a company actress. Her previous credits include the roles of Shundel in Fiddler on the Roof, Lt. Connie Liebiwitz in M*A*S*H, Mrs. Briggs in The Trysting Place, and a chorus member in Annie Get Your Gun.

Sean M. Kelly has performed in numerous roles, notably Will Parker in Oklahoma!, Larry Rencher in Macbeth Did It, and Charlie Cowell in The Music Man, among others, at the Northampton Theatre Company. Last semester, he plays Bombardov and Bondarevsky in Black Snow. A freshman Film major from Bethlehem, PA, Sean includes writing, singing, dancing and making movies in his experience.

Bridget Kuster, a freshman Education major from Hummels Wharf, PA, played various roles in last semester's production of Black Snow, including the Props Person. In high school, she performed in the Chorus for Fiddler on the Roof and Anything Goes, and played Miss Burdett in Murder Runs in the Family.

Peter Lawler was last seen in various roles, including the tricycle-riding Patrikeyev in Black Snow. In high school in East Stroudsburg, PA, Pete was student director and played Mr. Salt in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He is a sophomore English/History double major.

Justin Leach played numerous roles in high school, including The Wolf in Into The Woods, the Major General in Pirates of Penzance, the Bishop of Lax in See How They Run, Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies, and Reuben in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. A freshman Communication major, Justin is from Elizabethtown, PA.

Ryan Mowry should list "Earth" as his hometown, since he has lived in South Carolina, Arizona, Utah, Germany, The Philippines, and "beyond," before coming here as a Computer Science major. In addition to working lights, he also performed in multiple high school plays, including Find Me, The Shadow Box and Alky. He also acted in Lost In Yonkers at the Frankfurt [Germany] City Theatre.

Sara Moyer, from Hershey, PA, is a freshman Hotel/Restaurant Management major. She is making her stage debut with this production.

Peter Vincent Nickischer is a freshman Film major from Walnutport, PA. Last semester he played Ivan Vasileivich in Black Snow here on campus. At Northampton High School he performed in three plays and two musicals, including the role of Jud Fry in Oklahoma! His hobby is film production, and his current project is "Magic Man," a documentary focused on a young man growing up with Imperelated Juvenality Disorder.

Kevin R. Niziol, a freshman from Palmyra, PA, has appeared in The Odd Couple in the role of Speed, and in Nickel Moon Productions' Scream in the Dark. Last semester, he appeared in Black Snow as Rudolfi and Gavril here on campus. He is a member of the Society of the Arts, the Multicultural Club, and Allies.

Christine Ringleben is a freshman Microbiology major from Hazleton, PA. Last semester Christine played various roles in Black Snow, including Eulampia Petrovna.

Jimmy Ringleben has appeared in elementary school productions here in Hazleton. With this appearance, he proves you can't start recruiting new students too young.

Aimee Roman is a freshman Communications major from Tamaqua, PA. Previously, Aimee appeared as Mrs. Merckle in her high school production of Bye Bye Birdie and is making her campus theatre debut with this show.

Jon-Michael Roman appeared as Subtle the Alchemist in the Spring 1997 production of The Alchemist, and last semester played Ilchin in Black Snow. From East Stroudsburg, PA, Jon-Michael is a Marketing and International Business sophomore. He is also the president of the Student Government Association, is active in Legislative Advocacy, Society of the Arts, Hazleton Campus Video and Lion Ambassadors, and is the chair of the Election Committee, of the Disciplinary Committee.

Ryan Ruggiero, from Bangor, PA, is a freshman examining his options in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Prior roles include Javert in Les Miserables, Ebinezer in A Dark and Stormy Night, and Barrnicle in Sweeney Todd.

Debbie Shaw is a first-year Advertising/Public Relations major from Brentwood, NJ. Debbie has been involved in theatre productions and musicals since the 7th grade, and played roles Godspell, Gypsy and Anything Goes. Last semester she appeared in Black Snow as Ludmilla Pryakhina. She is also secretary/treasurer of SOTA.

Melanie Susan Smith previously proclaimed that, "The snow...the snow is falling," in one of several roles she played in Black Snow. A sophomore History major, Melanie is from Tamaqua, PA.

Christina M. Tang, who played both Toropetzkaya and Ivan's Aunt in Black Snow, and who played a vital part of the backstage crew for The Alchemist, returns again to the stage. From North Arlington, NJ, she is co-president of SOTA, an Allies and Hazleton Campus Video representative, the Assistant Secretary for the SGA, and the HVC Representative to Allies here on campus. Christina is a sophomore double-majoring in Communications and Marketing and International Business.

Sara Topf, from Wellsboro, PA, is a freshman Political Science/English double-major. In high school she appeared in Annie and Once Upon a Mattress, and directed Kiss Me Kate and Babes in Arms. She is active on campus in the SGA, Thon, Allies, ARHS, SOTA, the Academic Affairs Committee and the Honor Society.

Harrison Treegoob, last seen as Likospastov and Shakespeare in Black Snow, appeared in numerous high school productions before coming to our campus as a Film and Video major. He is a freshman from Philadelphia, PA.

Amanda Wawrzyn previously acted in high school and elementary school plays and in "Odyssey of the Mind" skits. An Earth Science major, Amanda is from Mountain Top, PA.

Christina Wright lists her hometown as Fort Bragg, NC. A freshman (examining her options, etc.), Christina played the Mermaid in The Little Mermaid, Zazu in The Lion King, and the Duke in Cinderella in high school.

Gerard DiLisio is a sophomore Engineering major from Kaneohe, Hawaii. This is his first-ever experience working on a theatre production.

Chris Fair, last seen as Abel Drugger in The Alchemist, lists various school plays in high school as his previous theatre experience, and notes his favorites were a sadistic camp counselor and the Land Shark in a stage version of The Best of Saturday Night Live. On paint crew last semester as well (remember the giant pencil?), Chris is a sophomore Telecommunications major from Hershey, PA.

Carol Grace Gambone is a freshman Education major from Wapwallopen, PA. In high school Carol appeared in the Chorus for Oklahoma!, and as Ursula in The Sound of Music. Carol's dance experience includes nine years of dance lessons and numerous shows for the Joan Harris Dance Centre.

Brian Grant is a freshman from Schnecksville, PA, who is examining his options for a major. A player on the campus soccer team, this is Brian's first time working on a theatre production.

Kevin A. Kufro has worked backstage from 8th to 12th grade, and served as Stage Manager for last semester's production of Black Snow. A sophomore Meteorology major from Freeland, Kevin has also helped with Channel 16's "For Kids' Sake." Andrew Kuklis is a sophomore Management Science major from Stroudsburg, PA. Previously, Kevin worked on the stage crew at his high school, and was part of the very busy costume running crew for Black Snow last semester.

Greg Melitski is a freshman Bio Behavioral Health major from Branchburg, NJ. He also served on crew for Black Snow.

Michelle Michael is making her theatrical debut by working on crew for this show. She is a freshman Environmental Resource Management major from Weatherly, PA.

Melissa Tait lists her past theatre experience as a member of "Fiesta!" a dance & singing group, as roles in The Robber Bridegroom, and Black Elk Speaks. Melissa also has five years dance experience at the Louis Pabon Dance Studios. A freshman Meteorology major, she is from Norwich, CT.

Shannon P. Willbanks, a sophomore Telecommunications major, is from Albion, MI. He is working on his first theatre production with this show.

Alyssa Young, a freshman Biology major, previously worked on the stage crew and helped sew costumes for Black Snow last semester, and did stage crew for School House Rock at Allen High School in her hometown of Allentown, PA.

The House of Atreus

The story begins with Tantalus, a son of the god Zeus. Once, when entertaining the gods at his palace, Tantalus killed his own son, Pelops, and served him as dinner. Cursed by the gods, Tantalus was sent to Hades and placed next to a pool of refreshing water he could never reach but which always tempted his thirst.

The gods restored Pelops to life (and replaced his nibbled and missing shoulder), and Pelops became the only descendent of Tantalus to live happily ever after. However, his daughter, Niobe, demanded that the people of Thebes worship her as a goddess. As retribution for her pride, Artemis and Apollo killed all her children.

Niobe's brothers, Atreus and Thyestes, also fared poorly. Atreus did not want to share the throne, and under the guise of brotherly affection, invited Thyestes to dinner. He then served Thyestes' children as dinner. The sin of the father repeated, the curse continued on.

Atreus then had two sons, Agamemnon and Menelaus. You will hear of them and of the events leading up to the Trojan War in Act One. Then, during the war, Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife, took up with his cousin Aegisthus. When Agamemnon returned from the war, Clytemnestra killed him in revenge for Iphigenia's death.

To avenge his father's murder, Orestes returned from abroad and killed Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. The Furies, with snakes for hair and with eyes that dripped blood, rose from the earth and pursued him to avenge the matricide.

Orestes fled to Athens, where the goddess Athena acted as judge in Orestes' trial, and Apollo served as Orestes' lawyer. With the jury deadlocked, Athena declares Orestes not guilty. Then Athena persuades the Furies to turn their dark powers for good (in the same way that Luke Skywalker channels the dark side of the Force to finish his training as a Jedi knight), and they become Athens' goddesses of hearth and home.

In Euripides' variation of the story, Orestes has one last task to complete: he must find the statue of Artemis, which Orestes discovers, is in a land ruled by a man named Thoas, whom we see in Act Two.

Composer's Notes

Steve had originally provided me with an outline for Iphigenia (or "Iphy" as it would later be code-named) sometime in 1996. The vastness of the work both intrigued and scared me, and I knew I would have to employ other musicians, or at least their electronic counterparts, to accomplish anything near what Steve wanted. Steve's outline lay in my pile of "possible projects" for many months, until Fall of 1997. Shortly after my relocation to Harrisburg I began work, writing and recording throughout the following months until Dec. Much of the existing recording was recorded around New Years' Day 1998.

After doing some live performance and recording work with live percussionists during my Summer 1997 performing season, and after the tremendous influence of groups and artists like Dead Can Dance, Mickey Hart, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Jai Uttal, and Ottmar Leibert, I became sensitive to rhythmic concepts. Using the medium of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), I was able to explore many more rhythmic ideas than I ever could before, so the music to Iphigenia contains much experimentation on those levels.

The music for each act definitely has its own character. Act One starts off with more subdued pieces, simpler melodies, and songs influenced largely by Steve's original ideas. Act Two is more complex, both rhythmically and melodically, steering into fuller productions which came about from my own inspirations. Still, as a whole, the work is collaborative, and even where Steve or I came up with a completed idea, we influenced each other very much in the process of fine tuning things. Even at my most dry points, about to give up because I couldn't get that Ziggy Stardust guitar riff, Steve seemed to spur me on for ideas...and lo and behold I came up with them (though I never did get the Ziggy thing quite right--maybe next time). Since the object of the songs is to help tell the story, not so much be the center of attention, I have learned to look at melody from a completely different angle, and have learned the value of simple writing. And while the music is fine for production now, I certainly see possible improvements ahead should this play be accepted for performance elsewhere.

This project is a testament to the usefulness and power of the internet in creative endeavors. It is safe to say that the music for this production would not have been completed in time had it not been for the ease and speed of internet communication. While working out the music I believe Steve and I met in person a total of three times.

The process involved starting with some of Steve's basic melody ideas, which he saved as MIDI files in MusicShop for the Macintosh. He attached these files to email, which I received and then played through Cakewalk Home Studio 5.0. While we experienced some timing trouble initially, there were no problems working cross-platform (MAC/PC). My own contributions to the songs and arrangements began by reading the script, taking notes on Steve's recommendations, and then sitting down with lyrics and guitar to hash out concepts. Cakewalk later played a major role in the process as I learned how to manipulate the tracks I had in my head.

This play is symbolic for me. It's full of rebirths, homecomings, discoveries and sacrifices. Through the process of its writing, I have made or have had my own sacrifices and discoveries, both as an artist and a person. I hope this play brings that experience to others.

This play is also special because it may be my last major project with Steve due to career changes in both of our lives. The Doctor wanted this play to be a grand finale for his term at PSU as Director and Professor. I very much enjoyed working with him to fulfill his vision, and would do it again if given the chance, even if my pile of "possible projects" has grown legs and dances around me crying "Not another play!!!".

Special thanks to: Those at PSU who have kept my email account going to finish this production. Audra (who had to live with me through the really bad drafts of these songs). Steve for asking me to do this. Our singers who have realized the musical vision. Every music teacher who played a part in my learning, appreciation and love for music in all its forms. A certain someone who will remain nameless. Kenny, Mark, and Barry for their rhythmic influences.

--Jeremy dePrisco 2/98

Director's Notes

I find Greek tragedies very intriguing, and believe that Greek plays must have been very vital and theatrical in their presentation. Yet, Greek drama is alien to many people today; while Shakespeare is a staple of high school English classes and professional and amateur productions, Greek plays are often overlooked and ignored for production.

To address this situation, I conceived the idea of The Iphigenia Cycle, a presentation of five plays about the Trojan War, with Euripides' two Iphigenia plays as a frame, and with Aeschylus' trilogy, The Oresteia, at the center. I planned to adapt the original texts, retaining the basic elements of Greek drama (e.g., scenes separated by choral odes), updating them to the twentieth century, and creating a connection between our relatively recent American history (the Vietnam War and its aftermath, the Summer of Love and Woodstock, the development of cults) and the ancient Greek texts. The choral odes, I hoped, would be rendered in the musical idiom of each period in which the plays were set.

One of the most exciting things to happen with this production has been the collaboration. After Jeremy dePrisco signed on as composer, and began working feverishly on the many songs in the piece, he and I corresponded frequently, and he sent revised MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) files almost daily for my approval. Occasionally, his idea for a part of a song resulted in a new idea for staging, or sometimes my staging ideas affected the musical arrangement in some way. Likewise, the actors provided input to make the text work more smoothly, and the choreographers provided dances for the Choruses that greatly enhanced the overall look of the piece.

This is my last show here at the Hazleton Campus, and I must say it has been quite a ride. But before I sail off (like Orestes and Iphigenia), I say again as I usually do at the end of my director's notes:

Enjoy the show.

--Dr. Stephen A. Schrum