AROUND CAMPUS

Junior Ruth Golsteyn took the stage as the lead role in the Sophocles tragedy “Antigone” at GPAC on Feb. 20 to Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.

“Antigone’s character was the most difficult role I have ever received and I portrayed the character the best I could, but even on the last night of the performance I discovered new things about her,” Golsteyn said.

“I learned more about myself in the six weeks of rehearsal for “Antigone,” than my first year in college,” she said.

In the play, Antigone stubbornly fights for her brother, Polynices, to be honored and buried as a hero just like Eteocles, her other brother.

She fights against the law and King Creon who refuses to bury Polynices and she attempts several times to bury him herself. She is soon caught and thrown in a cave where she dies.

Senior broadcasting major Ryan M. Kelly starred as Creon. The production included 11 actors, who performed in front of an audience of about 65 people per night, all of whom sat on the stage.

“The play did its job in hooking me,” audience member Jarrett Rice said. “The actors were right there, and they sucked me in.”

“Antigone” was my first production working under the direction of Dr. Chet Jordan,” Golsteyn said. “It was a delightful experience learning how to work with different directing techniques and new people.”

“I’m very happy so far,” Dr. Jordan said. “I’m particularly pleased with what the actors have done with this play. It’s really exciting.”

In the program, Dr. Jordan states: “The play has weathered the test of time as it is relevant today to the policies of petty tyrants who impose their own decisions upon their own society, family and friends.”

The production took five weeks, from beginning to end, according to Dr. Jordan.

“That is the typical timeframe for this type of production. A musical would take six weeks, but this production is usually around five, which is what we did,” he explained.

Golsteyn has a major in theater and a minor in musical theater.

“I try my best to sing because in this career field, it is best to be a triple threat,” she said. A triple threat is when a person can sing, act and dance.

She has also studied theater, dance and music for 18 years.

She has had several years of dance training in many different styles like ballet, tap, jazz, ballroom and modern. She’s starting to be trained in break dancing as well.

She has performed in several productions such as: “Our Town,” “Lend Me A Tenor,” “1940’s Radio Hour,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Pippin,” “Chicago,” “Into the Woods,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Merry Wives of Windsor Til Death Do Us Part.”

UNCP’s University Theatre program is a laboratory focused on the art of live theatrical productions. “Antigone” is the second production this year, following “Lend Me a Tenor,” which was presented in the fall.

Golsteyn will also be performing in the upcoming UNCP production of “Once Upon A Mattress,” which will take place on April 16 to 22.

Matt Heckel also contributed to this story.