Larger-than-life puppets featured in ECU production of ‘Lysistrata’

East Carolina University’s Loessin Playhouse will close its virtual season with a performance of “Lysistrata,” featuring larger-than-life puppets.

The School of Theatre and Dance will stream an adaptation of the Greek comedy on April 30 and May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and May 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available online at theatredance.ecu.edu or by calling the box office at 252-328-6829. Tickets are $5 for ECU students by calling the box office.

Larger-than-life puppets are featured in ECU production. (Contributed photos)

Ellen McLaughlin’s post-modern adaptation of Aristophanes’ classic Greek satire was first staged as part of the Lysistrata Project, a 2003 peace protest where thousands of readings of “Lysistrata” took place around the world.

The production highlights one woman’s mission to end the Peloponnesian War by convincing Greek women to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands as a way to force a peace negotiation.

“(This adaptation) reminds us that audiences have delighted in the ‘battle of the sexes’ since the dawn of comic drama,” said ECU faculty member and dramaturg Jen-Scott Mobley.

During the planning period for the virtual spring season, director and ECU faculty member Gregory Funaro thought “Lysistrata” would offer levity and humor during the coronavirus pandemic. “I think we could all use a good laugh, and ‘Lysistrata’ certainly provides that,” Funaro said.

To maintain social distancing and mask-wearing procedures, the ECU production has been staged using larger-than-life puppets created by ECU design and production faculty and students.

“The idea to use oversized puppets started as a way for actors to stay six feet apart but as we moved forward, they began to illustrate the over-the-top nature of the show, adding an extra layer to the comedy,” Funaro said.

Costume designer Delta Childers-Smith said designing costumes for puppets instead of actors was an interesting process.

An ECU student puppeteer moves in ECU’s virtual production.

“I had to think about the character, the puppet’s size and the puppeteer. They all collectively create this person in the story,” Childers-Smith said. “Instead of separating the costume from the puppeteer, we decided to merge them so ultimately the actor becomes an extension of the puppet’s costume.”

Construction of the puppets began in December, and student performers had access to rehearse with the puppets throughout the process.

Damaris Tooley, a senior professional acting major, portrays Lysistrata. “This experience was unlike any other theater I have done,” she said. “The puppets and working with COVID restrictions have given me a new and creative outlook on my acting. Having to focus on the voice, controlling the puppet and just memorizing the lines have been incredibly difficult.”

Jayme Klinger Host, artistic director of the ECU/Loessin Playhouse and director of the School of Theatre and Dance, commended faculty members and students for their innovation and creativity in working through the pandemic.

“The inspired set, puppet and costume design layered atop the exceptional talent of actors will surely captivate our virtual audience,” Host said.

Note: The production contains adult content and language.

ECU students perform with puppets in “Lysistrata.”