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CU-Bloomsburg's BU Players to Present "These Women of Troy"

Bloomsburg, PA (02/28/2025) — The BU Players at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg continue their 2024-25 season with a mainstage production of "These Women of Troy," by Joe Stollenwerk, adapted from Euripides. The play will run March 6 through 9, at the Alvina Krause Theatre 226 Center Street, Bloomsburg. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.

In "These Women of Troy," the city of Troy has fallen after ten long years of violent and brutal conflict. Gathered on a remote shore near the city's destroyed walls, the women of Troy contemplate their fates and fears. This new version of Euripides' famed Greek tragedy The Trojan Women provokes questions as urgent today as in 415 BCE.

"'These Women of Troy' is a moving and fresh take on Euripides's famed script. Often called the oldest anti-war play in history, the play confronts the audience with questions about cycles of violence and how we treat both those we consider allies and enemies," says Dr. Carrie Winship, the play's director. "While the adaptation invites audiences to hear this story through more contemporary language, the play maintains many of the stylistic and formal elements of the Ancient Greek tragic form. It has been a joyful challenge for students to explore this style within the rehearsal process."

Professor Ethan Krupp is the lighting designer and technical director. Professional guest artists Michael Yerges is scenic designer and guest professional A'nie Kirchner is properties designer and scenic artist. Student Tom Halko is the hair, masks, and makeup designer. Student Abbey Bowman is costume designer, and student Mitch Leso is the production stage manager.

The student cast features Melissa Lewis as Hecuba, Kalie Peterson as Polyxena, Mickey Brathwaite as Cassandra, Bex Vermuelen as Andromache, and Ymani Marseille-Garcia (she/her) as Helen. The Chorus of Women of Troy includes Micah Estep, Jade Melton, Maggie Shelton, Destiny Martinez, Gia DeLuca, Ash O'Sick, Cassidy Flanagan, Emily Shaffer, and Kylie Luner. Scott Rumbough is Menelaus, and Rhamel Grehm Jr is Talthybius.

Additional student production team includes Frankie Webb as Assistant Stage Manager, Drew Rehrig as Assistant Stage Manager, Kenna DeValor as Dramaturg, Theo Lemons as Assistant Lighting Designer, and Sam Hefner as Assistant Costume Designer. Additional faculty and staff include Earl Martz as Scene Shop Coordinator, Emily Weisgerber as Costume Director, and Sarah as Costume Shop Coordinator.

Tickets are free for current CU-Bloomsburg students, $6 for adults, and $4 for seniors and students. The play is not intended for children. Tickets are available in advance at the Arts in Bloom Box Office in the Haas Center for the Arts on the campus of CU-Bloomsburg or at the theatre box office one hour before curtain.

The play contains mature language and themes and is not recommended for young audiences. The play runs 90 minutes with no intermission.

The BU Players, the producing arm of the division of Theatre and Dance at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, promote experience in all aspects of theatre and are a proud resident producer of Arts in Bloom of Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. Participation with BU Players is open to all current students. The BU Players' mainstage season continues with the 14th Annual Dance Concert on May 4 and 5.

For more information about the BU Players, visit buplayers.org. For more information about the production, contact professor David A. Miller at dmiller@commonwealthu.edu or 646-541-6135.