Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSweating to the oldies
SU senior directs "Sweat," a drama based in 1927, for the second season in a row
By Kelly Outram
Posted: 10/2/08, 11:30 PM EST Section: Feature
Zora Neale Hurston wrote "Sweat," a story of an abusive relationship in small town 81 years ago.
But director James Miller, a senior acting and political science major, thinks the subject is very relevant to this day and age so he is directing the play at the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center until Oct. 18.
Miller said that something unique in this show is the melodrama and the interaction between the cast members.
The play tells the story of Delia Jones, the main character who gets repeatedly beaten up, stepped on and taken advantage of by her husband, Sykes.
"Sweat" begins on a hot summer day. Delia decides she can't take the abuse anymore and when Sykes raises his hand to hit her, Delia stands up for herself and fights back rather than cower in the corner.
The play progresses from there, showing how Delia gains strength and power and eventually escapes the relationship.
"It's very movement based," Miller said. "One could watch it without sound and still know what was going on.
"The actors become a snake, a rising sun - you can see the young people turn into old town folk in just a few minutes."
The nine-person cast is composed of students from various ethnic backgrounds and majors, including a student in The College of Art and Sciences, a graduate student and a member of the Syracuse community.
Despite the adaptation from a book by a black novelist, the play has cast members from various racial backgrounds. Miller said he never wanted the play to be an all black cast because blacks weren't the only ones who were discriminated against during those times.
"Everyone has a journey," Miller said. "Everyday people are who we respect the most."
Miller compared the plight of Delia Jones to the journey of famed singer Tina Turner, who also escaped an abusive relationship.
"She (Turner) was also the breadwinner in the relationship and was able to get out of it," Miller said. "It shows, 'look, people can get out.'"
But director James Miller, a senior acting and political science major, thinks the subject is very relevant to this day and age so he is directing the play at the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center until Oct. 18.
Miller said that something unique in this show is the melodrama and the interaction between the cast members.
The play tells the story of Delia Jones, the main character who gets repeatedly beaten up, stepped on and taken advantage of by her husband, Sykes.
"Sweat" begins on a hot summer day. Delia decides she can't take the abuse anymore and when Sykes raises his hand to hit her, Delia stands up for herself and fights back rather than cower in the corner.
The play progresses from there, showing how Delia gains strength and power and eventually escapes the relationship.
"It's very movement based," Miller said. "One could watch it without sound and still know what was going on.
"The actors become a snake, a rising sun - you can see the young people turn into old town folk in just a few minutes."
The nine-person cast is composed of students from various ethnic backgrounds and majors, including a student in The College of Art and Sciences, a graduate student and a member of the Syracuse community.
Despite the adaptation from a book by a black novelist, the play has cast members from various racial backgrounds. Miller said he never wanted the play to be an all black cast because blacks weren't the only ones who were discriminated against during those times.
"Everyone has a journey," Miller said. "Everyday people are who we respect the most."
Miller compared the plight of Delia Jones to the journey of famed singer Tina Turner, who also escaped an abusive relationship.
"She (Turner) was also the breadwinner in the relationship and was able to get out of it," Miller said. "It shows, 'look, people can get out.'"
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