Ann Arbor Civic Theatre presents: Antigone

By Cheyenne McGuire
Contributor

Around 441 BC, Sophocles adapted the myth of a heroine who risks her well-being to give her brother a proper burial in spite of her family’s allegiances.

Today, Ypsilanti resident and WCC student, Aliahna Porter is on track to bring that story to life as the titular role in the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre’s production of “Antigone”.

“The whole play is about Antigone fighting for what is right even though she knows there will be consequences for it,” said Porter.

Despite its ancient pedigree, Porter believes the play is still relevant today.

“One thing I connected to it is that, about a year ago, a woman climbed a flagpole at a state building to take down a Confederate flag,” Porter said. “She knew she’d get arrested and that they’d put it back up, but she did it anyway because it was right.”

No stranger to the stage, Porter fell in love with acting as a child, but only returned to it in recent years.

After leaving Pioneer High School, she continued her studies through Washtenaw Technical Middle College, which spurred her to give acting another try.

Last fall, as part of WCC’s Acting II showcase, she portrayed Paulinka Erdnuss in Tony Kushner’s “A Bright Room Called Day”.

“[WCC acting classes] really are what made me remember how much I love acting because I was too scared to try to do it […] But then I realized how much I loved it and Tracy [Jaffe, faculty adviser of Theatre and Drama] has really helped me build the courage to decide that I want to act.”

Any students thinking about following suit should do so. “Definitely sign up for an Acting I course,” Porter encouraged. “Even if you’re just doing it for fun.”

She has since graduated with a Liberal Arts Transfer degree, but continues to study at WCC to further her knowledge and is currently in her sixth semester.

“I’ll be going to Wayne State starting next semester as a theater major. Then, afterwards, I’m hoping to head off to California to pursue a film career,” said Porter, regarding her plans for the future.

Joining her in “Antigone” is fellow WCC student, Travis Chaffee.

He plays the role of a guard named Snout as well as being a member of the chorus, which serves the purpose of narration.

Chaffee is from Dexter and holds a BA in Sport Management from the University of Michigan.

He is now working towards an advanced degree in Data Analytics/Information Science at WCC.

The challenge of acting is what piqued his interest in pursuing it formally.

“I’d always enjoyed trying to act naturally when it seemed that was difficult for others. That’s really what drew me into trying out acting,” said Chaffee.

He says his greatest takeaway from the play is the time needed to put together a show.

“It takes quite a bit of thought and preparation and you need to have the self-motivation to practice lines on your own,” Chaffee explained.

Chaffee offers a word of advice to aspiring actors, “Learn who you are before trying to go into acting. Having a clear identity will make it easier to separate yourself from the character you are playing. Develop your empathy as well, and see things from other points of view.”

Though we live in a world dominated by film and television, theater continues to possess unique charms.

“It’s different every show, and, because it’s right there, you really feel the emotion.” said Porter.

“Antigone” runs from Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 5-7, 2018. Visit a2ct.org for tickets and show times.

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