Metamorphoses, May 15-18

This production of Metamorphoses will be staged completely outdoors, in the magically beautiful setting provided by Ziegler Point on the east side of our campus. 

Please bring layers...as the sun sets and the gods run amok, there is sure to be a shift in the temperature!

From the Director's Notes:

In 2012, Metamorphoses was the third show I ever produced at Sonoma  Academy—back when we were still working out of our beloved Fitzsimmons Black Box Theater. I’ll never forget asking the administration if I could build a “small pool” of water in the theater... and they said yes!? That moment was when I knew I was working at a truly magical school.  At that time, I fell deeply in love with this extraordinary play—its whimsical storytelling style, its characters, its emotional and visual poetry. Through trials and tribulations of learning to work with water, I also deeply bonded with the original cast who brought it to life in such a poignant and creative way. Even though I swore at the time I would “NEVER work with water again!” I knew then that one day, I’d want to return to it.

This current production comes out of our Production Studio and Design course, which made it the perfect opportunity to revisit Metamorphoses and all of its design opportunities and conundrums. This class centers student leadership across all areas of production—from set and costumes to props and sound design—so our students didn’t just participate; they created, manifested, and led the way. Lots of sewing, draping, building, glittering and hot-gluing! 

I’ve always had a deep love for outdoor theater, and the three times I’ve staged shows in our amphitheater, I’ve found it to be a transcendent (and challenging!) experience—for both audiences and performers. There’s something magical about performing under the setting sun, birds swooping above, the stars emerging overhead, and yes—even the occasional barking dog, croaking frog or buzzing chainsaw in the distance. Theater under the open sky connects us to the roots of the form, dating back to the ancient Greeks, so what better setting for our Greek tales. This time, rather than use our beautiful new Performing Arts Center (and risk water damage!), I was drawn to one of my favorite spots on campus: Ziegler Point. With its wisteria arbor, rolling hills in the backdrop, and sunken seating area, it offers intimacy, natural beauty, and a touch of whimsy—an ideal setting to transform into an outdoor venue.

With the help of our brilliant student set designer and junior Harper Clark, we envisioned and built a stage and pool in this space, inviting you to enjoy the arts in a setting that’s as unique as the show itself. Water acts as an integral character in this play, its transformative presence woven throughout. The somatic quality it evokes, deepens the piece’s unique experiential texture.