Over two nights at Tomlinson Hall at Temple University, the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale Opera showed the community what they have been working on since August. The dystopian thriller has never been performed as an opera before. With both talent and vision, Temple brought the fictional world of Gliead to life, calling attention to the current political climate.
The opera contains details that are less clear than in the other iterations of this story. By using animated visuals, props, and extensive vocal techniques, the production team and cast conveyed the world of Gilead and the atrocities that occur there strikingly while also preserving the source material’s message. Without the time and care the cast invested in conveying this story, it would not have felt as powerful to the audience.
Finn De Vries, a sophomore in Music Education who was part of the chorus during the production, like many of their peers, felt the weight of being a part of this world that connects to ours too well.
“I struggled to leave the world of Gilead behind after rehearsals,” De Vries said. “I struggled to separate the world of the show from my own life.”
These struggles stem from the fact that the conflicts that the opera addresses–persecution of minorities, governmental control, and misinformation–are all challenges that can be seen in the world today. Finn remarked that this connection was intentionally drawn: the projections on the background showing Temple’s campus and The Eyes (the secret police) styled as ICE agents, bridging the gap between two worlds.
Sophie Yerxa Robinson, a sophomore in Theatre and Voice Performance, had a similar experience to De Vries, remarking that she, too, struggled to escape the world of Gilead. Sophie had many roles within the production, playing a Wife, a Handmaid, and an understudy for both Ofglen and Warren’s wife at different times. It took a lot of strength for her to be a part of this production with the weight of the content, which tested her mental health.
“As [artists], we look forward to jobs like this because our significance is our artistry and protest,” Robinson said. “It feels like we are doing something for society, but we have to live in a terrifying place in that world for a very long time.”
There was plenty of support for her at this time, which helped her continue in her roles and share this impactful story with a greater audience. Without the diligent work of the cast and directors of this production, the message would not have come across as clear or complete. There were many precautions as the cast dived deeper into the story to help with the weight of the story, such as opening words of affirmation, outside events for group bonding, and times of rest.
This collegiate premiere of The Handmaid’s Tale Opera helped open conversations about how the world looks around us, especially when it ends up on the stage. It gives viewers time to reflect on what is going on, helping keep Gliead on stage rather than in the real world.