Synopsis

The story of Samson and Delilah has been passed down through generations as a tale warning against the wiles of an unreligious woman. Whether her betrayal was motivated by the money she was offered by her lover’s enemies, or by her own lust for power, Delilah’s infamy has lived for hundreds of years. But what if she truly cared for her lover and never wished him harm? This play depicts what transpires when a woman must choose between protecting the life of the man she loves and the possibility of losing that love forever. This is a tale of devotion and betrayal, attempting to shed new light on an anciently villainous character, and showing what might have happened to the most famous femme fatal in biblical history.

“Can a betrayal be an act of love? Can a traitor also be a savior?

Can a woman wear more than one face?”

Poster!

Take a look at our awesome poster! Copy it! Hang it up! Hand it out! Download it and keep it for your own!!! 

But most of all COME TO THE SHOW!!! 

Set Design

We've got a working set design going now! Basically, the space in 328 will be reversed from its classroom setup- with the audience risers pushed to the south end of the room and the curtains/ backstage areas at the north end. 

There will be a cyclorama (big white drop) far upstage, flanked by two black legs on the right and left just a few feet downstage of the cyc. On the cyc we will be projecting bright colors to evoke times of day, mood, and changing weather. We'll often be using mixes of two or more colors on the cyc and in the ambient lighting. Kyle is doing a great job designing this for me! 

To add to the general ambiance of eastern location we will have two moroccan style metal lanterns hanging downstage of the legs, which will cast shapes and interesting light patterns on the space, as we have need of them. 

Not pictured here is the far down stage point, there is a small mirror on the floor with a bowl of water containing a floating candle that Delilah will interact with during the show. 

I'm very excited to play with this setup and see what kind of beautiful images we can make! 

Playlist!!!

Hey Everyone!
We've been working hard here in Delilah-land and now have a full cast and a game plan to make the awesomest play Butler theatre has ever seen!
So, to keep the suspense building, and by popular demand, I'm posting some of the music for the show here on the blog! Enjoy!

For Prologue: "Moments of Doubt" by Omar Faruk

For the Opening flashback: "O'Soul" by RUM Band

For Scene 7: "Supplication" By Arabic Sound

For Scene Transitions: "Balkan Dreams" by Harem

For Scene 11: "Terms" from The Kingdom of Heaven

For Scene 12: "Miracle"

Costume Designs

Hey there! Just some costume designs I thought I'd post to peak some interest. These aren't final, but they are pretty cool! Overall, I wanted the costumes to have a middle eastern influence, but not to be "period" bibical dress.
Delilah needed to be different from the rest of them culturally because of the story, she also needed to have a transition from her original job as a courtesan to her stable relationship with Samson.

Samson's design is based on influences from Egypt (i.e. Exodus), and on some desert/warrior motifs as well. He's meant to look tough but not the same as the philistines. His headdress allows us to cut off his braids every night and replace them in the clasp for the next day.

The Philistines are meant to be like executives that have had to live in the desert, cannibalizing their clothes and tools. However rough and post apocalyptic they live, they are in charge and so want to appear to be strong. They hate Samson because he challenges their power.

I still need to design for the extras of the cast, three women who will dance and help create the scenes. They are philistines but less executive than those with lines. I'll post them as soon as I can. 

Beginning Pre-Production - A.K.A. Here Goes Nothing

Well, after two and a half years only in my brain and on sheets of paper the phenomenon that is Delilah is about to take its life! I've been re-imagining the biblical story of Samson and Delilah for several years. I'm especially interested in the question of "What if Delilah actually loved Samson?", wondering what would have caused her to betray him, and what happened to her where the biblical narrative leaves off- with samson being taken away. So, I've written my own original script addressing these ideas, with a flair of my own tendency for the poetic. You can see a sample of the script here.
Now, after my second to last semester as a Butler Theatre Major, I am poised to begin production for the show itself. I'll be shopping for props, costume pieces, and bits for the set over winter break. I will also be working with my Pre-cast Samson and Delilah, who have graciously agreed not to audition for our fancy guest director next semester in favor of working with me.
Delilah will be played by the ever-lovely and talented Kerry Layne Stauffer:

Samson will be portrayed by the wonderful and passionate Quinn Leary:

From January 10th until term begins we'll be working on relationships and S/D scenes in the show, as well as getting some serious costuming done for things like Kerry's complicated wardrobe and Quinn's gorgeous headdress. We'll be casting the rest of the group after Tim Hardy's auditions for As You Like It. So, everyone better get super excited, cuz this senior thesis is gonna rock Butler University's socks!!!

Coming soon: Costume renderings, lighting concepts, and set drafts! Stay Tuned!