A grade school principal with strong features looks angrily at the girl before him who dared to speak her mind. He then throws a book across the room, barely missing her. The young girl, Edna St. Vincent Millay, silently retrieves the book and marches to the principal's desk. Blam! She drops the book on his desk. The sound echoes throughout the auditorium as the audience watches her next move in awe.
The play, "Aria da Capo," described as a clever social commentary, runs Nov. 5 through 8 at Millsaps College. "Wild Swan," a piece written by the students, will accompany "Aria da Capo." The plays explore Millay's life and works through a variety of perspectives. Born in 1892 in Rockland, Maine, Millay was a poet, dramatist, essayist and an extraordinary woman with the gift for speaking her mind.
"We compiled our research," Maddie Manefee, a freshman from Shreveport, La., said while scanning her script a few moments before rehearsal. Dr. Jeannie- Marie Brown, director and assistant professor in the Millsaps theater department, says students compiled information from scholarly works, biographies, published letters, plays and Millay's poetry to create the script.
The Millsaps Players will focus on the female voice during their 2009/2010 season. Their first production this season, "Aria da Capo," has been a unique experience with a profound effect on all involved.
Each actor takes the stage in an array of choreographed movements, interacting with each other, engaging the audience and leading them on a captivating journey into the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay.
Cast and crew members will lead a discussion about the production after each performance.
"Aria da Capo" runs Nov. 5 through Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Millsaps College Christian Center Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission; $5 seniors and students. Tickets are available at box office one hour prior to each show. For more information, call 601-974-1422.
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