M E D E A B Y E U R I P I D E SBY AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR
LEONIDAS LOIZIDES
PANCYPRIAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INC.THEATRICAL DIVISION
PRESENTS
Under the auspices of H.E. The President of the Republic of Cyprus
NICOS ANASTASIADES
2 ~ Medea by Euripides 3 ~ Medea by Euripides
5 ~ Medea by Euripides4 ~ Medea by Euripides
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8 ~ Medea by Euripides 9 ~ Medea by Euripides
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CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS NEW YORK
Ladies and Gentlemen, February 23rd, 2019 First of all, I would like to pay tribute to the late Nikos Mouyiaris, a leading Cypriot-American businessman, philanthropist and among other things, founder of the Theatrical Division of the Pancyprian Association. Without the generosity and love of Nikos Mouyiaris, we would not be in the privileged position we are tonight, enjoying this wonderful theatrical performance. Dear Friends, Allow me to also congratulate the Pancyprian Association’s Theatrical Division and its charismatic director, Mr. Leonidas Loizides, for tonight’s excellent performance «MEDEA BY EURIPIDES». I applaud the talented actors and musicians who have made the performance possible. Tonight’s event not only provides Cypriot Americans and Greek Americans an opportunity to come together, but by being performed in the English language, allows us to portray Greek Mythology to non-Greek speaking audiences. While being highly educational, tonight’s event is also a reflection of the deep patriotism and dedication which prevails amongst the leadership and members of the Pancyprian Association of America. Being proud and honored to be amongst you tonight, I would like to thank the Pancyprian Association of America for its kind invitation and wish all the participants, a great evening!
Alexis Phedonos-Vadet Consul General of Cyprus in New York City
4-05 26th Avenue · Astoria, New York, 11102 Tel: (718) 440-8799 · Fax: (718) 440-8719 www.fcaousa.org · [email protected]
Board of Directors
Executive Officers Kyriacos Papastylianou President
Nicos Paphitis Executive Vice President Despina Axiotakis Maria Hadjipolycarpou Chris Karamanos Martinos Kyprianou Vice Presidents
Elisavet Miltiadou Secretary
Loukas Georgiou Treasurer
Board Members Maria Botsios Peter Louca Chris Odysseos George Sophocleous Georgia Stavrou Nicos Tziazas Tasos Zambas
Tasoula Manaridis Executive Assistant
Peter Kakoyiannis Legal Counselor
Costas Tsentas Past President
November 6, 2018 Mr. Leonidas Loizides Director Pancyprian Theatrical Division Dear Mr. Loizides, On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, it is with distinct honor and pleasure that I extend to the Pancyprian Theatrical Division my warmest greetings, and most sincere congratulations, on the occasion of the Greek play "Medea" by Euripides. On this occasion, I would like to convey to you personally my sincere gratitude for your hard work and dedication to promote the Greek culture and history by producing ancient Greek drama plays for our community. We all understand the importance of studying the past to understand the future. These productions play a vital role in our community for the preservation and promotion of the Hellenic culture and history. Your contribution is inspiring and your achievements in the field commendable. Again, congratulations on your hard work and best wishes for continued success. Sincerely,
Kyriacos Papastylianou President
12 ~ Medea by Euripides 13 ~ Medea by Euripides
February 23, 2019
Dear Friends,
It gives me great pleasure and honor to welcome you tonight to the outstanding theatrical production of “Medea” by Euripides, under the Direction of award-winning Director and Producer Leonidas Loizidis.
Tonight we mourn the passing of our Founder, Dear Friend, and Great Benefactor Mr. Nikos Mouyiaris. Nikos was a great Philanthropist and a prominent Philhellene. His passing is an enormous loss for our community and Hellenism at large. On behalf of our Board of Directors sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Carol, his daughter, Ariana, his brother George, and the rest of his family.
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to the President of Pancyprian Association, Mr. Philip Christopher, for his guidance, leadership, and support.
I want to express our sincere gratitude to all our sponsors and supporters for their support and for making this event possible.
A special “Thank You” is also extended to the Board Members of the Pancyprian Theatrical Division, Evi Raftis, Niovi Philippou, Savvy Asprou, Skevi Roussopoulos and Eleni Galitsis for all their hard work and dedication throughout this time.
Please enjoy the presentation of “Medea” by Euripides with admiration for our culture and heritage.
Respectfully,
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“Medea” by EuripidesQueens Theater
14 United Nations Ave, Corona NY 11368 February 23, 7:00 pm- Running Time 70min
PRODUCED BY: The Pancyprian Association of America Inc. – Theatrical Division
Script Adaptation: Louis Markos
Directed By: Leonidas LoizidesStage Manager/ Ass. Dir: Dimitris Behrakis
Scenic Design: Tasos YerolemouSet Construction: AXOS Design
Costume Design: Evi Raftis
Marketing & Public Relations: Anasa Marketing & Consulting Inc.
CASTMedea: Michael Anne Hoffert Cone • Jason: Khris Lewin
Nurse: Stephanie Taylor Tutor: Ryan Sett • Messenger: DeAngelo M. Kearns King Creon: Nathat Levy • King Aegeus: Tobias Arizio
CHORUSAlicia Hartz( Head Chorus/ Medea Understudy) • Joyce Miller (Nurse Understudy)
Amanda Cannon • Katherine Hebert • Olivia Pierce Patricia Yeazell • Gabriella Llarena
Angel: Milagros Simon • Angel/ King Aegeus Understudy: Jeremy LewisJason’s Right Hand Man/ King Creon Understudy: Ryan Christian
Medea’s Children: Georgia Loizides and Evi Kreatsoulas
MUSICIANSViolin: Damian Dudu
Guest Singer: Olga Xanthopoulou Guest Singer: Costas Tsourakis Guest Singer: Alyson Spina
MEDIA SPONSORSAndreas Hadjioannou, Anamniseis Media Group, NGTV, Aktina FM
guided Medea’s children through each and every one of their scenes.
Director’s NoteAncient Greek Drama as we understand it today was not a mere show, but rather a collective ritual of the polis. While trying to reconnect with the Mythical Greek past, theater voiced ideas and indicated problems from the political, social and cultural life.
From the vast range of the timeless and universal topics that Ancient Greek Drama discuss, this performance primarily focuses on the impact that parents’ acts and conflicts have in next generations’ lives. Additionally, the performance points the finger not only at authority (for having as a top priority the maintenance of its own power) , but also at society (repre-sented by the Chorus) for being apathetic, and therefore also responsible for what befalls them.
The central question the play sets forth is a perpetually relevant one, yet potentially controversial. It asks whether or not people deserve to be indi-vidually and collectively emancipated, if their first and foremost concern hasn’t been to create and nurture the favorable conditions required to their descesants, in order for them to pursue their liberty and well- being.
SummaryEuripides (480-406 BC) was one of the three most recognized tragedi-ans (along with Aeschylus and Sophocles) of classical Athens. He was identified with theatrical innovations that have profoundly influenced drama down to modern times, especially concerning the representation of mythical heroes as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Medea first produced in 431 BC and the plot, based upon the myth of Jason and Medea, centers on the actions of former princess of Colchis and wife of Jason, Medea who finds her position in the Greek World threatened as Jason leaves her for Creon’s (King Of Corinth) daughter.
All scenes involve and highlight Medea’s skillful and determined at-tempt to manipulate powerful male figures to achieve her own ends. Medea as a heroine/ villain exhibits the inner emotions of passion and love as well as the urge for ‘’ wild justice’’ in an unjust society.
AcknowledgementsSpecial thanks to every Chorus member for composing and performing their songs as well as creating their choreographies in a well-organized, collaborative and wholehearted spirit.
Credit is due to Stephanie Brooke Taylor for exemplifying the mask work process and having participated in the Chorus’ work. She also kindly
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Alicia Hartz is a New York City-based actor working intheater, film, and television. A recent graduate of NYUTisch, she has also studied acting at The Royal Academyof Dramatic Art in London, the International TheaterWing in Amsterdam, The Art of Acting Studio in Los An-geles, and all across her hometown of Washington DC. Fa-vorite recent credits include Viola (Twelfth Night, RADA),Sarah (My Daughter Keeps Her Hammer, NYU) and Pa-tricia (Two Tight, Metlika Media Films).
Alicia Hartz
Amanda Cannon is so excited to be a part of Medea! Sheholds a BA in Theatre from Southern Arkansas University.Recent credits include Hamlet (Bernardo et al.), Blood andWater (Ensemble), and The Three Ghosts of ElizabethBathory (Elizabeth II). She has also performed multipleshows with her acting company, Wednesday Repertory Com-pany, which focuses on creating and producing original work.
Amanda Cannon
Dimitris Behrakis (Assistant Director/ Stage Manager) wasborn in New York City but raised in a musical family inAthens, Greece where he studied piano, violin, guitar,drums and worked for several years as a music teacher.Meanwhile, he earned his degree in Theatre Pedagogy &Theatre Game as well as in Economics. After a nine-monthservice in the Greek Army he returned to New York inOctober 2017.
Dimitris Behrakis
DeAngelo M. Kearks is honored to be working with thePAOATG for the first time. His past performances includeroles in Winter Wonderland (TNC), Harlem Playwrights21 festival (actor and director), EstroGenius festival, TheCranky Cabaret, The Last Hour (off Broadway), and themusical Rock and Roll Refugee (off-Broadway, Royal familyproduction).
DeAngelo M. Kearns
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Gabriela Llarena is an actor and writer originally from Cal-ifornia. She is fresh off a December graduation from NYUwhere she received her BFA in acting. Her love of Greekmythology is what initially led her to both of her passions,so she is excited to begin her professional career withMedea.
Gabriela Llarena
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Jeremy Willis is excited for this to be his NYC debut! He’sbeen performing with the Galli Theatre (NYC) Children’sTheatre for the past year. Also, he is taking a class withMTC (Marshalls Thespian Collective) to advance his per-formance skills.
Jeremy Willis
Joyce Miller is making her Queens Theatre debut. She hasacted steadily in off-off-Broadway, independent, andBrooklyn film and theater. During the summer she per-formed in three different productions at Planet Connec-tions with nominations in both new script and lead actresscategories. Current: The Handmaid’s Dianetics (DixonPlace), My 28 Years of Heterosexuality was just a Phase(Filming).
Joyce Miller
Katherine Hebert is a New York-based actress and is ex-cited to appear in Medea alongside such a talented cast.She'd like to thank her friends and family for their love andsupport.
Katherine Hebert
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Khris Lewin is delighted to work with the PAATG on thisbrilliant ancient play. Recent work includes ExtremeWhether (LaMama ETC), Personnel Best (Secret Theatre),Horatio in the world premiere of Boris Akunin's Hamlet-A Version (Roust/Red Lab), Private Life of the MasterRace (Roust), Oliver! (Harbor Lights), Richard II (SonnetRep/Fight or Flight), and Fêtes de la Nuit (Ohio Theatre).
Khris Lewin
Michael Anne is thrilled to be returning to the Queens The-atre! She made her professional theatrical debut here lastFebruary as Chrysothemis in Sophocles’ Electra. A bornand bred New Yorker, Michael Anne was your classic the-ater nerd growing up, attending various artistic workshopsat the Public Theater as well as the Kaufman Music Center,where she later taught musical theater for three consecutivesummers. During her time at Sarah Lawrence College, shespent a year abroad studying classical theater at the BritishAmerican Drama Academy in London. She has also per-formed at London’s Ovalhouse Theatre as Lussurioso inThe Revenger’s Tragedy and Creon in Oedipus at Colonus
Michael Anne
Milagros Simon is a NYC based performer of Dominicanand Greek descent. She is an alumni of The William EsperStudio under the tutelage of David Newer. Milagros will bemaking her feature debut on Epix’s new television series TheGodfather of Harlem airing this year. Other recent creditsinclude Stella in an immersive production of TennesseeWilliams’s plays and Lenore, a role she had the privilege tooriginate and received mention in the New York Times.
Milagros Simon
Nathan Townsend Levy is a theatre, film, and televisionactor who loves performing in classical plays such as thosewritten by the inestimable Euripides. He most recently ap-peared in Kearon and Kyle at the Manhattan RepertoryTheatre. He has previously acted in countless Shakespeareproductions, and appeared as Shakespeare himself on TheMarvelous Mrs. Maisel. He hopes that Medea will evokethe same primal experience for this audience as it did 2,500years ago in ancient Greece.
Nathan Townsend Levy
Olivia Pierce acted in both theatre and film for many years.Olivia Pierce earned her degree in Theatre from the Uni-versity of Toledo in 2016. Her most memorable stage cred-its include the roles of Olivia in William Shakespeare'sTwelfth Night and Inez in Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit. Sheplayed the lead role of Dana in James Aponte's 2018 fea-ture-length film Dream Runner.
Olivia Pierce
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Olga Xanthopoulou Alyson Spina(Guest Singer)
Damian Dudu (Violonist)
Costas Tsourakis(Guest Singer)
Patricia Yeazell is originally from St. Petersburg FL. Shegraduated from the University of Tampa as a Theatre andCommunication double major. She has recently been seenin The Game's Afoot as Aggie Wheeler, Hazelwood Jr.High as Melinda, and Vera in And Then There Were None.This is her debut with Pancyprian Theatrical Division.
Patricia Yeazell
Ryan Christian an up and coming actor that is currently ina masterclass program run by Obie award winning J Mar-shall Evan's. His credits include Whistle In Mississippi: TheLynching of Emmett Till and Les Boites Noires.
Ryan Christian
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Ryan Sett is an actor/singer and has performed off-Broad-way in "The Last Hour" by J. Marshall Evans & HarlemPlaywright's Festivals lead by Charles White. He shows hislove and support for Leonidas Loizides's masterful direc-tion in this beautiful tragedy & for his family of artists,MTC (Marshall's Thespian Collective).
Ryan Sett
Stephanie Brooke Taylor began her relationship with thestage at the age of 7. Coast to coast she has worked withregional theatres and is thrilled to add Medea’s Nurse toher repertoire of Nurses: Nurse in Romeo and Juliet,Nurse in Uncle Vanya, Governess in The Cherry Orchard,Margaret in Dracula, and more! Internationally, she hasperformed and taught Shakespeare with FESTA in Flo-rence, Italy for three seasons, and she is proudly the Headof Drama at The Main Idea in Maine. She is a graduateof Houston’s HSPVA and has her BFA from NYU underthe thumb of Stella Adler.
Stephanie Brooke Taylor
Tobias Arizio grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hestarted acting at the age of 15 in a 60's adaptation of MuchAdo About Nothing. He joined a musical theatre companythe following year, and at 17 he walked exclusively forErmenegildo Zegna in Milan's Fashion Week. He hasworked for Canada Goose, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes,and traveled across Europe for years. In 2016 his passionfor acting led him to move to New York City to train atthe American Musical & Dramatic Academy. Recent cred-its include: Rapiña (The Tank), Broadway’s Future Song-book, Diversity Concert (Lincoln Center's Bruno WalterAuditorium), Shakespeare’s King John (ATA).
Tobias Arizio
Special Thanks to Our DonorsPANCYPRIAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA - THEATRICAL DIVISION
EXPRESS GRATITUDE & APPRECIATIONTO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS
hGRAND BENEFACTORS
AMERICAN NETWORK SOLUTIONS LLC, PHILIP CHRISTOPHER, PRESIDENT & CEO MANA PRODUCTS INC., NIKOS MOUYIARIS , PRESIDENT
AXOS DESIGNS, TASOS YEROLEMOU, PRESIDENT
BENEFACTORSCONSTANTINE IORDANOU
TECHNICO CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC., STELIOS ANIFTOS, PRESIDENT
PATRONSANTONIOS & EFFIE ANTONIOU
FEDERATION OF CYPRIOT AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS
SPONSORSASGATA ASSOCIATION INC.MIA’S BROOKLYN BAKERY
PANCYPRIAN WOMEN’S INITIATIVE NETWORK (WIN)CHRIS & EVI RAFTIS
DIONYSOS RESTAURANT
SUPPORTERSKONSTANTINOS ANTONOPOULOSANTONIOS & SAVVY ASPROU
BRONX AUTO, SAVVAS KONSTANTINOU, PRESIDENTCOMODROMOS ASSOCIATES, P.A.
ESTIATORIO LIMANIINVESTORS BANK
VASILIOS & ELENI GALITSISGEORGE HALKIDES
GYRO WORLD, DIMITRIS PETRIDISHARPELL CHEMISTS INC.
ISMINI MICHAELSLYONS MORTGAGE SERVICEGEORGE & NIOVI PHILIPPOU
STEFANOS FURSTASTY GRILL, MINAS GALITSIS