Fourteen-year-old Tess Troha-Thompson of Waukegan, a scarf covering her eyes and a cane in her hand, hunched her back and haltingly started across the stage.
The event was a rehearsal of the nearly 2,500-year-old Greek tragedy “Antigone,” and Tess was preparing for the scene in Sophocles’ play where Tiresias the blind and elderly prophet, confronts the power-hungry King Creon about his disregard for humanity.
Tess suddenly stopped.
“I have a question,” she said, standing straight and pushing the scarf to her forehead. She told director Eileen Buchanan she was concerned about tumbling off the stage because she could not see.
“Who wants to play Tiresias’ `boy’ and help him walk?” asked Buchanan. On stage, a hand shot up from every actor, each an area student taking part in Shimer College’s first high school drama workshop.
According to the founders of the program, the enthusiasm was typical of the young actors enrolled in the intense, week-long experience.
“They are very energetic,” said the workshop’s assistant director Marc Hoffman.
Last week, eight students paid $110 each to attend five rigorous eight-hour sessions dissecting and acting out scenes from “Antigone.”
“Antigone,” written by Sophocles in 441 B.C., is the story of a young woman who is put to death for burying her dead brother even though she knows there is a law against it.
The students studied Greek history and mythology, translated scenes into modern-day speech, recorded journal entries, and ended the week with a performance for their parents–though the performance was not the goal of the workshop, directors were quick to say.
“It’s certainly the product, but not the goal,” Buchanan said. “The goal is to have an in-depth experience of a real, solid work of art.”
Hoffman and Buchanan said they designed the workshop to fill what they see as a niche for serious high school theater students.
“We wanted it to be something truly intellectual, not just (acting) tricks or games,” said Buchanan, who is theater director at Shimer College, a Northwestern University theater department alum, and professional actor.”Not that we don’t play games, but the games have a purpose.”
Hoffman, Shimer’s assistant director of admissions and a theater graduate from Northwestern, said the drama workshop helps the 120-student liberal arts college attract future students.
“We thought this would be a really nice way to provide a service and also get the word out about Shimer,” Hoffman said.
Buchanan and Hoffman plan to expand the program next year to at least three weeks, studying one play each week from the ancient Greek, Shakespearean and modern periods. Students whose applications are accepted could attend one, two, or all three sessions.
Last week, the class rehearsed parts of its performance for the first time, using the new stage in the campus cultural center. Working in teams of two, the students took turns performing scenes while others sat on stage in their dual roles as chorus members.
“Try not to wiggle during the scenes,” Buchanan told the chorus. “Watch what’s happening. Don’t just sit there.”
Susanne Sklar, an actor, drama historian, adjunct Shimer instructor and another Northwestern alum, sat in on the rehearsal.
“They did all of this in just two days,” Sklar said. “It’s amazing.”
Caitlin Noonan, 15, of Whitefish Bay, Wis., who played Antigone, and Natalie Stevens, 14, of Waukegan, who played Antigone’s sister Ismene, said they may one day consider careers in theater or film. But for now, they are enjoying learning, and they say the Shimer workshop is the best they have attended.
“It’s challenging,” Caitlin said. “We’re doing all of this in only five days. But it’s almost better that way because it makes you more strict with yourself.”
“This is the only (class) I’ve found so far that teaches you things you’ll actually remember and use,” Natalie said. “And it’s fun.”
Nick Izzo, 17, of Palatine played Creon in his scene and said it was the first opportunity he has had to study and perform Greek theater. He said he liked the camaraderie the workshop offered.
“We’ve only been here three days, but we know each other already,” he said.
