Medea/Shulie by Euripides and Shulamith Firestone,
Adapted and Directed by Sara Lyons
Ryan served as the Production Dramaturg on Medea/Shulie, a new adaptation of Euripides' Medea mixed with the work of Shulamith Firestone, adapted and directed by Sara Lyons. He worked as a new play dramaturg, helping Sara develop the text of the piece. He also provided dramaturgical support in the rehearsal room.
Production Team Director/Adaptor: Sara Lyons Dramaturg: Ryan Dumas Assistant Dramaturgs: Carley Johnson & Kate Busatto Scenic Designer: Adryan Miller-Gorder Costume Designer: Nix Lopinto Lighting Designer: Shawn Nielson Sound Designer: Nick Erickson Media Designer: Davey Steinman Stage Manager: Kyrie Bayles Production Manager: Kat Landry Cast MEDEA/CHORUS: Gena Sims CREON/CHORUS LEADER: Carmen Flood JASON/CHORUS: Leaf Rickard TUTOR/AEGEUS/CHORUS: Katie Sacks NURSE/MESSENGER/CHORUS: Lily Ganser |
Script Development
Ryan worked with Sara to develop and refine the structure and content of the script to Medea/Shulie. He offered structural and thematic analysis, and gave notes on drafts before rehearsal. During rehearsal, he continued to give notes on the text as they became relevant, especially with regard to the performance of the show's complex text.
Dramaturgical Assistance in the Design Process
Ryan was present throughout the design process for Medea/Shulie. He worked to make sure that design choices were upholding and supporting the text, as well as helping facilitate the desired audience experience.
Marketing Blurb
Ryan wrote the marketing blurb for the production, used in season marketing materials. It reads as follows:
"'What other creatures are bred so exquisitely/and purposefully for mistreatment as women are?'
In Ancient Greece, Medea is angry. She's decided to take matters into her own hands. In New York City during 1970, radical activist Shulamith "Shulie" Firestone is also angry. She takes matters into her own hands.
Medea/Shulie brings the stories of these dynamic characters together to explore what happens to women whose anger, passion and force are 'too much' for society."
"'What other creatures are bred so exquisitely/and purposefully for mistreatment as women are?'
In Ancient Greece, Medea is angry. She's decided to take matters into her own hands. In New York City during 1970, radical activist Shulamith "Shulie" Firestone is also angry. She takes matters into her own hands.
Medea/Shulie brings the stories of these dynamic characters together to explore what happens to women whose anger, passion and force are 'too much' for society."
Dramaturgical Casebook
Ryan created an online dramaturgical casebook for Medea/Shulie which was designed to be utilized by the full company (director, designers, managers, and performers). The casebook can be found at medeashuliedramaturgy.weebly.com.
Program Note
Ryan wrote a program note for Medea/Shulie, entitled "Medea, Shulie, and Myth." It can be found below.
medeashulie_pn_final.pdf |
Lobby Display
Information about, and images of, Ryan's lobby display for Medea/Shulie are coming soon.
Production Photos
All photos by Louis Stein.