the Medea project
Year
2022 - 2023
Part of the mission of NENAProductions Theater Project is to encourage the imaginative and societal importance of theater through plays and musicals. We know that live theater can explore and comment on issues that are currently affecting the human condition. With this in mind, we are excited to announce the beginning of The Medea Project.
The Medea Project will incorporate the ancient Greek tragedy, Medea, by Euripides as its basis. Ancient, yes, but the play highlights the journey of a woman who suffers the disadvantages of being a woman in a social system dominated by men. The Medea Project is conceived by NENA Artistic Director Nick Montesano and NENA veteran Ray Dademo. Casting for each step of the process will be gender non-conforming, with a focus to cast non-traditional expectations of the play.
The project will be approached in several steps with a mainstage performance at the end of the process. Each step will have a casting notice specific only to that particular part of the process.
The first part of the project will be an informal reading of the play with a small group of invited guests. The purpose of the reading will be to simply hear the text and promote a discussion about the themes and their impact today.
The Reading
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A reading of MEDEA by Euripides took place on July 26th, 2022 in the Abbott Room at Porta, a Smith Restaurant in Asbury Park. A small invited group attended the reading to offer feedback.
The translation selected for this reading was by Diane Arnson Svarlien.
Under the direction of Nick Montesano, the cast for the evening included Tara Beams, Brian Craig, Ray Dademo, Frank Falisi, Rebecca Garfein, Joseph Glasser, Samantha Maidlow, Shannon Murray, Anthony Preuster, Joe Ronga, and Amy Skalecki. Donna Glasser-Craig served as Historian/Consultant on the project.
The feedback provided sent us on a journey to explore more translations, as well as refine the concepts for the MainStage production.
NENAproductions extends a heartfelt Thank you to the SMITH Restaurant Group for their continued support of our endeavors.
Visit them in Asbury Park at Porta, Pascal and Sabine, Homesick and Lovesick.
Translation selected...
After exploring multiple translations of Euripides MEDEA we have selected the translation by Robinson Jeffers. This is the version that was performed on Broadway by a number of actors including Judith Anderson, Fiona Shaw, Zoe Caldwell, and John Gielgood throughout the years.