It was indescribably refreshing to see the Parker Poe Theatre stage at Lincoln Academy brimming with student actors, musicians and technicians, all working together, hitting the boards to produce “Beowulf.”
Students were everywhere, (former and current) – on stage, in the orchestra loft, serving as running crew, and (according to the program) they built masks and armor and weapons, sewed costumes, ran lights, banged nails…and worked the gamut of what’s necessary for staging a production.
Student performers include those home schooled, from Great Salt Bay Community School, Damariscotta; the Nobleboro Central School in Nobleboro; the Center for Teaching and Learning in Edgecomb; and, from Lincoln Academy
Director and Lincoln Academy teacher Griff Braley, however, took them further – into the realm of playwrights. Starting in early September, the troupe did their bookwork and research, dissected the extant manuscript text and produced a script.
No doubt they had to tackle the two-fold scholarly debate as to (1) whether the piece was first in the “oral tradition” and later documented by an anonymous scribe, or it bypassed oral tradition and popped up as a written document; and, (2) whether it is a pagan piece influenced by Anglo-Saxon Christianity, or depicts straight forward Norse/Germanic paganism.
The Beowulf epic poem for LA’s scripting purpose is perfect; short of leaving out the characters and the three inciting incidents/battles (Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon), the early Anglo-Saxon written piece is wide open for interpretation, as evidenced by the multiple scholarly works about the poem.
Apparently, as evidenced by the program insert, “Beowulf – Background” Braley chose the arguments of scholars such as Charles Donahue and Rich Lawson, showing “the fictional world of Beowulf is pagan; its point of view is Christian.”
The student production about the epic hero guided by Braley is loaded and somewhat top heavy in spectacle – masking, fights, flashing lights, smoke, and even a fire-breathing dragon. No matter, the 40-something students presented an enjoyable and truly ensemble piece.
Everybody loves adventure, and the story of the epic hero Beowulf is one of the best. No matter the century – what’s better than big, strong men; an angry, man-eating giant; a vengeful mother/she-witch; a fire-breathing dragon; and, the one hero who slays them all and saves the day?
A nice touch was bringing in the theatre history tradition of the “Greek chorus” in which multiple students vocally serve as narrators and characters, underscoring the significance of ensemble performing.
There’s no other way to say it – loved the masks and the actors who brought their characters to life using only gestures. Hard work that, and well done.
Students played so many roles seamlessly, and it was revealed many were having their first live stage experiences. Evaluating the performances, however, there were absolutely no rookies apparent in this piece; all the students hit the mark confidently and professionally.
Performers include Kyle Arsenault (Beowulf), Eloise Hart Kelly (Mother Grendel) and Sam Inman (Wiglaf).
All the following students had multiple roles and were narrators or “tellers” and character vocalists: Tyler Abbotoni, Rowan Carroll-Christopher, Thalia Eddyblouin, Ed Frankonis, Nate Friant, Lian Harrington, Mena Han-Lalime, Ezra Hickey, Abbey Hutchins, Noah Jones, MacKenzie Kinney, Luke Levesque, Courtney Marston, Theo Seidel, Kate Westhaver and Thomas Williams.
Mask performers (including some mask builders) are: Autumn Beaudoin (Old Woman Mask, Grendel Mask), Emily Crider (Welthow Mask/builder), Devin Domeyer (Grendel Mask/builder), Griffin Han-Lalime (Dragon Head), Mickey McAtee (Grendel Head), Kara Mullin (Hrothgar Mask) and Jonah Vesery (Unferth Mask/builder). Harrington also built Thief Mask and Old Woman Mask.
Orchestra leader and the original music composition by Corey Redonnet were moody and perfectly fit the piece. Talented musicians include Ben Chute (guitars) Nic Phinney (bass) Ben Hidu (horns) Noah Hassenpflug (drums) Will Hadden (mandolin), Griffin Han-Lalme (cello), Mena Han-Lalime (violin) and Rowan Carroll-Christopher (viola).
Production team includes Letitia Munson (Stage Manager/Tech. Director); Alex Braley (armorer and weapons); the lighting team is Kelsey Leeman, John Braley and Jim Lydon; smoke operators are Michael McCormick and Tyler Abbotoni; the costume team is Rowan Carroll-Christopher, Cassie Leeman, MacKenzie Kinney and Clair Dumont; and, Keeper of the Old English Texts is Autumn Beaudoin.
Remaining “Beowulf” 7:30 p.m. performances not to miss are Fri.-Sat., Nov. 11, 12, with a matinee on Sun., Nov. 13 at 3 p.m.
Heartwood Youth presents a special “Pay As You Can” performance, Thurs., Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., which Heartwood will be filming. Tickets are $8/students through high school and $15/adults. Reservations are strongly recommended – email boxoffice@heartwoodtheater.org or phone 563-1373.
Kim Fletcher holds an MFA in Theatre from the Hilberry Repertory Company, Detroit, Mich., and has served the film and theatre as makeup artist, actor and director.
