Director of ONU Theatre, Kelsie Davis ’19/’22 MBA, chose the play Metamorphoses as the fall semester anchor of ONU Theatre’s 2026-27 season long before the summer blockbuster film, The Odyssey hit theatres, but she is hoping that the revived interest in ancient myths will appeal broadly to audiences who are interesting in great storytelling. The fantastical monsters, complicated character arcs and nail-biting adventures through rough terrain found in many Greek myths are all captivating, but what many people have found to be especially compelling about these ancient stories are the enduring truths woven throughout.
The Roman poet Ovid originally composed his narrative poem, Metamorphoses, around 8 B.C. It was formally published in the 15th century and has been reinterpreted and translated many times since. In this play, written by Mary Zimmerman in 1996, familiar mythological stories are retold around pools of water, featuring characters including King Midas, Orpheus, Eurydice, Narcissus, Eros and Psyche.
“[These characters] present to us a question; will we embrace the agency we have in our transformation, or remain helpless bystanders within it?” Prof. Davis explains. “Originally assembled as a collection of myths that helped ancient civilizations 
grasp the wonder of creation, these episodes from the epic poem, Metamorphoses, focus on the turmoil of transformation and love as the inciting action of change. Step into the epic story that is sickeningly beautiful, undeniably mythical and piercingly human.”
Showtimes are:
Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Each year, ONU Theatre produces or supports 6-8 live stage productions that vary from minimalistic one-acts to vibrant musicals in partnership with the School of Music, all of which provide opportunities for students to hone performance and production skills on stage and behind the curtain.
Unique to this play, the 15 students who comprise the cast collectively fill all of the on-stage roles, playing almost 100 characters throughout the show. In addition, five of those students were also cast as understudies, meaning they learned their own tracks/roles, plus the lines, blocking and characterizations to support multiple other actors. Backstage roles, including stage manager, choreographer, lighting designer, puppet designer, front house managers and more were also filled by talented students. Plus, for the first time ever in ONU Theatre history, costumes were entirely designed and created by students.
Cast
Sydney Lang
Jacob Schindler
Bri Kanable
Grant Tudor
Liza Carder
Jace Hunt
Emma Ortman
Anthony Roebuck
Maya Spears
Dexter Arens
Lauren Johnson
Noah Peterson
Piper McWorter
Livi Bryant
Leah Baumhauer
Note: Some of the themes and material represented in the play may not be suitable for all ages. This production is recommended for guests age 12+.
For more information about ONU Theatre, visit Olivet.edu/Academics
