Mary Zimmerman's Metamorphoses Cast

I was the guitarist in Hadestown, and this is my second BHS Drama project! The story that most resonates with me is probably Orpheus and Eurydice, not only because it is the same as Hadestown, my first BHS theatre show, but also because it reflects the loneliness we feel, even if we're with someone. We are all fundamentally alone, and even though we may have people to quell that loneliness, we will ultimately return to that fundamental state. Despite all this, social connection is still essential to our survival, we have it from before we're born, a steady hand to hold through the good and the bad. Being denied that hand, we begin to return to that ever-present undercurrent, and there we find discomfort, and fear. Especially for someone as non-social as Orpheus (he IS a musician), the state of connection is not always there for him, so to him, someone like Eurydice is extremely precious. Without her, he feels he has lost everything. It's really been a chance to get to know all these people in the BHS theatre community, and also to be able to create all the music for a play! I love working with my fellow musicians, they are all amazing. It's also really interesting just seeing this thing all come together, and, forgive me, metamorphose from just a read script to a full fledged play with props, costumes and everything. I can really feel the emotion, and that's what we are trying to put into this music. We've come up with so much cool stuff together, I can't wait to create more! I of course want to thank my fellow musicians, you guys rock, Ms. Louchard for getting this all together (while pregnant), and all the amazing cast and crew!

I am so excited to be a part of another show with BHS Drama after acting in Urinetown and Hadestown, and doing music and acting for Macbeth! It has been so cool to be a part of a music ensemble again, and create the music for this beautiful play. The Alcyone and Ceyx story has been one of my favorite stories to play music for. This vignette really speaks to me because it’s so sad, and yet in it there's a theme of love conquering all. The line "these two adored each other and lived in a monotony of happiness" pulls at a longing in me, and I think in everyone, to find happiness in life that never ends. Because of that, the tragedy in the story is even more heartbreaking to watch. But the idea of even the gods feeling that heartbreak and having compassion enough to bring life back to the story gives me hope that no one is "altogether unkind." If we all show a little compassion, the world can be a place where love is so much more powerful than loss. I’ve loved becoming closer with everyone involved in this complex, wonderful process! My favorite communities are always the groups of people working on a theater production together. I feel so grateful and lucky to have been able to work with such an incredibly talented team of musicians! They listened to my ideas and were patient and kind even when I was tired. And as someone who loves telling stories, having the opportunity to tell seven stories in one play has been such a unique and amazing opportunity. They are all so beautiful and powerful and magical! This is the kind of play that will make you laugh and then cry, and then laugh again, which is why we come to the theater. I want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me and my love of music and performing!

I was part of the dramaturgy team for Hadestown, but this is my first time acting in a BHS production! I think that resonates with me the most is Eros and Psyche. I like the fact that it's humorous but also a great metaphor for the theme of the play. The end perfectly sums up what I think the play is trying to convey to the audience. It's the story of Eros and Psyche but it's also a representation of how human nature is to love. I think the community that you find while being part of any production is invaluable and this one has in no way been any different. I've also never done a play like this that's centered around water but it's been a great experience and I really like the fact that the water connects all of the vignettes. I think without the water there would be a loss of harmony but the fountain brings the whole play together. I’d like to thank my family for supporting me and the cast and crew for being such a fun and supportive group!

I was a rehearsal apprentice for Hadestown in spring of last year at Berkeley High. There are moments in all seven vignettes that speak to me in different ways. However, I love how the vignette of Erysichthon contains so many stories in one. When I first read that vignette, I wondered about the backstory of the mother and how her connection with Poseidon came to be in her youth, as well how Oread became a handmade to Ceres and the why that specific tree was sacred to Ceres. The story brought up so many questions, even more than it answered, but I've always liked questions. The ending was also a shock and it really resonated with me how we can sometimes be our own downfall. The idea of self-sabotage is prevalent in many of these vignettes and really makes me consider how we all may be holding ourselves back in life in some way. This project has been meaningful to me because it is the first time I've been a real part of a theater cast. It has been so fun to get to act for real for the first time. I love working through scenes with my castmates and seeing our work come together and it has been so rewarding working to figure out how to deliver the meaning of my lines and express the different personalities of my characters. I have learned so much, from stage combat to ancient Greek name pronunciation. Also, I feel so lucky to have met and gotten close to so many amazing people through this show. I want to shout out my castmates. I love you all so much and you made this experience so special. I also want to thank all the adults who made this happen including Ms. Louchard, Bessie, Giddy, and all the parent volunteers as well as student leadership and production. We couldn't have done it without you all. I would also like to thank my parents for picking me up from rehearsal and being flexible with my ever changing schedule. Thanks to my siblings Iris and Robin as well for all their support.

In previous BHS shows I’ve played in the poor ensemble in Urinetown, an air witch in Macbeth, and the pianist in Hadestown. My favorite story in this show is Alcyone and Ceyx because it has such deep messages about love and conflict. It shows balance between doing what makes you happy, and still never turning your back to your partner. Alcyone and Ceyx shows the message that love really does conquer all. This show has been so important to me because it’s let me play into two of my biggest passions, music and acting. Usually in theater, there’s always a solid or. You either one thing or another, and it means so much to me to get to have an and for once, and I’m so thankful for everyone who’s supported me in this process, old friends, new friends, and people I may not know that well. Truly, thank you.

I started my BHS drama career as an ensemble member in Urinetown. I was then the student director and fight captain for our production of Macbeth, and then the head of dramaturgy for Hadestown. Baucis and Philemon is a really beautiful story to me. The story is so simple in a way the others aren't, and the ending is simultaneously sweet and sad. It has such a classic message: be kind and inviting to anyone you meet. The simple nostalgia that Baucis and Philemon invokes sets it apart from the other vignettes. Metamorphoses is a very human play. It uses simple, commonly-known stories to explore the humanity in love, loss, greed, and the repercussions of our actions. This is a play about humans and how they change, and that is deeply fascinating to me. This has been such a wonderful production to be a part of; I am truly grateful to everyone who has contributed to this process with me.

This is my first time working onstage in a BHS production but I've been involved in some way with all of the productions that've happened since I got here. For Urinetown I kinda just existed and did odd jobs I guess and then for Maccers and Hadestown I had a more defined role, working as stage manager/lighting for Maccers and backstage as well as building the set with stagecraft for Hadestown. The vignette that speaks to me the most deeply is Eros and Psyche. I think that it explores the concept of love in a very interesting way. While love is a key part of many of the vignettes, Eros and Psyche really sort of addresses it head on and focuses on love in its most basic forms through the dialogue between Q and A which I thought was very cool and interesting. The thing that has been most meaningful to me throughout this production is definitely the people. All the members of the cast and crew are such amazing people and I think I'm so lucky to get to work with and bond with all of them. Other than that it has been super interesting to get to see more into the acting side of a production as I had been involved with lots of the productions but hadn't had the chance to act in any so it's super cool to see the differences and similarities. I want to shoutout everyone in the cast for investing so much time and energy into this but especially the seniors for doing this while dealing with college apps. You guys are incredible.

I was in Urinetown as an actor. I did concessions and publicity for Macbeth, where I created the Instagram. I then headed concessions for Hadestown. Orpheus and Eurydice, specifically the first half. The cycle of repetition and the narration about it is very meaningful and true to real life, in my opinion. Getting to reconnect with the feeling of being onstage has been amazing. Shoutout to everyone who brought me boba to rehearsal!

Malcolm in Macbeth, Rehearsal Stage Manager in Hadestown: Teen Edition. Phaeton is about a kid with daddy issues who crashes his car, so relatable. I too, have a car. It has been very meaningful working with such talented people! What a wonderful experience to be apart of! You who's reading the program. Yeah, you. Thanks for seeing our show.

I was a rehearsal apprentice for Hadestown. The vignette that speaks to me the most deeply is probably Baucis and Philemon. This vignette resonates with me the most because it shows a lovely example of true humanity and compassion. I think that one of the most important things you can do as a human is be compassionate and the love that Baucis and Philemon show for strangers as well as each other is so beautiful and it really speaks to me. For me it brings up mystery about what does happen to your love when you pass on and weather or not love can surpass death. I think there are lots of ways to think about this but its a really cool and mystical idea that will never be truly answered. I definitely relate to this on a personal level because my family and friends are the most valued part of my life and they add so much love and fulfillment to me and my world and I think this idea is really prevalent in Baucis and Philemon. Something that has been meaningful about this project is just how kind everyone is. I haven't been in a cast in a couple years and I forgot how nice it is to be in that type of community. Everyone is so welcoming and it is such an amazing environment to be in. I have met so many amazing people I wouldn't have met otherwise and I am so grateful for the entire cast. It also has been such a collaborative process. I think often high schoolers don't always get to be in control in these kinds of programs but the amount of choice and freedom we have gotten to share our ideas for this play is something that makes it so much more meaningful. I feel our cast and their ideas reflected in this play and that is such an awesome feeling. I would like to shout out both my parents because They both have been so supportive through this whole thing with my dad helping me with the audion and my mom volunteering for roles throughout the show and both of them giving me rides home, they have been more supportive than i could ever hope and they have made this whole thing so much easier.

Im very excited for my third production within Berkeley High! Ive previously been a part of the Urinetown Ensemble, and Ross in Macbeth last winter! I have always loved the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, and I was so excited to see what twist Mary Zimmerman put on this adaptation! This piece is so poetic in so many ways, and we had an entire rehearsal dedicated to flushing it out and I hope that in portraying Eurydice, I can make that work visible! I would never spoil anything, but it's a very intense and emotional scene and we have almost everyone in the play involved in it in some way, shape, or form. Everyone working on this project is so able to participate and give their opinions. We are all able to step back and share ideas, and I think it is making this whole collaboration a piece that everyone is proud of and that we all have given an idea for. I would like to thank my parents, who have always been super supportive of me and my theatre journey that I've been on since I was a kid. My friends inside and out of this production, all the friends I have made through this experience, and the people who have worked so hard to make this possible for all of us! And also Mary Zimmerman. Thank you queen.

I'm so exited to be back onstage after working behind the scenes as the student producer for Hadestown! you may have seen me in Berkeley high's 2024 production of Urinetown. I find myself really enjoying the story of Midas and his Golden touch. Not only is fun to act drunk on stage but I think the idea of greed and hubris, and their repercussions is really relevant in todays day in age. I also love that we get to see Midas learn that lesson firsthand. The most meaningful thing about participating in this production for me has been the community we've built and the silly things we get to do as a cast while we explore this show.

I was in Urinetown publicity, I was Young Siward and Apparition in Macbeth, and I was in Dramaturgy for Hadestown. Out of the 7 vignettes I think I resonate with Midas the most because a lot of the times I want it all. To be good at my sports, ace every class, and do good at theater but I don't get it all, all of the time and when I want one thing, I might have to sacrifice another thing. What's been meaningful to me I spending time with my cast-mates and making really cool theater with them! Shout out to costume people making our amazing costumes and Bessie our fight, lift, and intimacy person!

I was Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown and Ensemble in Hadestown. I think the story of Midas speaks the most to me in this series. I really relate to the feeling of getting lost in the process of doing something, no matter how much you love doing it, and forgetting to pay attention to the other things that matter in your life. I am a person who gets very invested in things I do, so just having a reminder to stop and smell the golden roses, and appreciate where I’ve gotten rather than focusing on where I need to go. I have loved the community created through this process. There is something unparalleled about the connections you create with people through theater. Something about being stuck with people at school until 7 o'clock at night when you know you have three hours of homework to do when you get home creates such strong, unbreakable bonds. Those friendships created are honestly the most meaningful part of the process for me. I want to shout out my parents for always supporting me and schlepping me to and from theater since 2nd grade!

This is my first time in the BHS Drama program! I am very excited to be joining and its been an amazing experience all around. Ive met a lot of great people and its amazing how commited everyone is to this project. The vignette that speaks to me the most is Midas because I think its a really beautiful story about how we can lose sight of what really matters to us. Midas is blinded by his need for more than what he has. He doesnt realize the importance of his daughter until she is taken away from him. I think thats a really interesting perspective that you can see throughout this whole show of the love that we take for granted, and how important it really is. When I came into this project I wasnt really sure if I wanted to do it. I hadnt done theater in a really long time and I wasnt sure if I wanted to come back to it. I was so impressed by the community and collaborative way of building a show. It was such a fun process and I’m so grateful for all the relationships Ive built in this process. My moms because they’re so cool and great!

I was a rehearsal apprentice in Hadestown. The vignette that spoke to me most deeply is Midas because it can be very easy to loose sight of what is important in life and strive for shallow successes. While it may not be wealth directly a lot of our ideas of success may not be the most valuable for our lives. I certainly know that my worldview can get clouded by other people’s views of my success and I can loose sight of what really matters. The people I love and my care for them. The most meaningful thing I’ve gained from this project is the relationships i’ve strengthened and made. I’ve also loved how collaborative this process has been. I think that’s something that is quite unique to this program and helps build creativity and a deeper understanding of the piece. I want to thank my parents for all of their support for me and my love of theater.

I was a witch in Macbeth, and I helped with dramaturgy for Hadestown. A major theme of this play is transformation (I mean, it's even in the title). This resonates with me because I am going through a very transformative time in my own life right now. Working on this show has been really fun because it allowed me to bring my love of mythology and my love of theater together. This show inspired me to read Ovid's Metamorphoses in the original Latin.

I first joined BHS Drama running Box Office & Front of House for Urinetown, a position I later returned to during Hadestown in collaboration with our adult volunteers. I had the absolute pleasure of dual stage managing & musicianship during Macbeth. Throughout this process, I’ve truly fallen in love with each of these little vignettes. Baucis & Philemon has always been such a beautiful myth to me, but our realization of this story of love, welcome, and devotion so powerful it merits eternity really brings together a play full of ideas that are so important in this time. Metamorphoses introduced me to Alycone & Ceyx (which from a musician perspective might be my favorite) and Phaeton & Apollo, which has so many interesting narrative points and fascinating parallels. I think that this play has that special quality of being a gorgeous composition on the surface, and a truly introspective piece of text once you look at it closer. It’s been so incredible to really see this composition come together into an absolutely amazing production by so many people. The two positions of musician and producer have led me to a really significant position with one foot in the acting space and one foot out. This unique place has allowed me to really get a sense for the momentus amount of work that goes into a production, from the first read-throughs and assemblies of email lists to the final runs with complicated scoring and heartfelt acting. It always adds on a truly extra layer of meaning at the end of a production, to know the emotion and hard work that everyone has poured into it. Metamorphoses means to me a new understanding of the human experience, and how we can find ourselves in someone else. I’d love to thank my parents, who have been endlessly supportive of my theater endeavors (with the condition that I do my homework.) Thanks for loving me so much. I absolutely couldn’t have done this without my co-producer Hannah, & my best friends Arvie & Kaelo.

Last year I did concessions for Macbeth and Hadestown but its is my first time being an actor in the production. Out of all the 7 vignettes, the one that speaks to me a lot is Midas. Even though the story seems very out of this world it also strongly relates to our world now. His greed for more money, statues, and popularity in our world is very shocking to see. In Midas we are consistently being shown his true colors and his morals through his relationship with his daughter and the neglect that is constantly being shown doesn't feel very "Out of this world". The celebrity and social media culture is constantly showing us what we may "aspire" to be and this is leading to the downfall of our own mental health. We start to compare the things we don't have. I do feel this on a personal level because I never want to get to the point where I wanna envy someone's life over mine and forget the blessing I have already had. This story feels like a reality and you can really relate with it since it's something we deal with everyday. What really matters is the moments we share with one another. Another part of Midas is when he gets an offer he immediately gets trapped in the offer. He takes the power he has and benefits himself self-consciously. That is something we don't see pretty much anymore which is sad. But the beautiful thing about Midas' story is the regret he feels which is something I am surprised about but happy to see. So many things have been meaningful to me in this story, but one of the most meaningful things has been the cast. I entered this experience as someone who wasn't as involved, and I was really happy to get to know everyone. Especially on the retreat, I felt I could really be myself, and getting to know myself was so fun. Going to the retreat and then going to rehearsal made everything so comfortable for me and ten times more collaborative, making the process way more fun. Rehearsals have also been very meaningful, as well as seeing the art come together, as the more rehashes we go to have been so fun to see it come together. Also, the solo times we have with our scene partners to perfect our scene have been cool to see. Overall, the community we have built with everyone a part of this production has been special to see grow over time. The playfulness we get to have while rehearsing has been so fun to observe from someone doing this for the first time. It is also so cool to see everyone's talent. Everyone in this production has so much talent. It is so interesting to be able to observe and see how everyone is so creative. I would like to really thank everyone a part of this production for making the experience so much fun. It has been so invited and I'm so grateful!

I’ve done props and costumes work on Macbeth and been a rehearsal apprentice for Hadestown. I think Orpheus and Eurydice speaks to me the most, because it tells the stories of two different people: one who will do anything for someone that they love, who is the whole world to them, and one who finally gets to explore who they really are beyond that love. I can really relate to how Orpheus cares so much about his loved ones, because to me those people are my world too. Meanwhile, Eurydice's part of the story talks about a woman who's already been so many things for other people but not really for herself, and is discovering who she can be. I feel like that's such an interesting interpretation of the myth, and I appreciate that the play includes Eurydice's perspective, something so often erased. I also feel like that part of the story has a point to make about our society, where women are so often valued more as what they are to other people than as themselves. And between the two characters, it's such an interesting contrast as to how Orpheus loves her so much that he is unable to separate his world from her, while Eurydice breaks free of it to become separate. In a way, they're both burdened by their love, but at different points of the story. This project has meant a lot of things to me. First of all, this play has been super interesting to delve into, with all of the cool myths and hidden meanings we've decided on. I also almost can't believe how awesome and welcoming this community has been over the course of putting this play together. It's been a really great experience altogether, and I'm so thankful for everything that's made that true. Huge thanks to everyone in the cast and crew, who are such awesome people and have made such a great show together. Also, three cheers for Ms. Louchard, who's been an amazing leader, bringing us all together to do this and guiding us, while pregnant.