Hanna Madler
  • Accounting and Theatre
  • Class of 2018
  • South Windsor, CT

Eastern Student Hanna Madler Brings 'Awakenings: Youth and Chitra' to Stage

2018 Apr 16

Themes of youth, love and enlightenment were on display in Eastern Connecticut State University's latest theatrical production, "Awakenings: 'Youth' by Thornton Wilder and 'Chitra' by Rabindranath Tagore." From April 5-8, the two one-act plays transformed Eastern's DelMonte Bernstein Studio Theatre into a tropical island and then into a lush Hindu dreamscape.

Among the students involved was Hanna Madler '18 of South Windsor, who majors in Accounting and Theatre. Madler played the role of Lady Sibyl Ponsonby.

"Youth" unfolds when a shipwrecked middle-aged man stumbles upon the shores of an island inhabited only by young people. The islanders are repulsed by his gray hair and wrinkly skin, and demonize him for coming from a world with values of which they disapprove. The naivety of the islanders is clear, however, as the worldly man exhibits compassion and wisdom that changes the fate of some of the youth.

After a brief intermission, theatregoers returned to a dimly lit, green-tinged set for "Chitra." The tale centers upon Chitrangada, a princess torn between the demands of being a warrior and the desires of embracing her femininity. With the help of the gods of love and youth, Chitra is transformed into an image of beauty that attracts the attention of the great warrior Arjuna. But she is not true to herself or Arjuna, living a double life, until the powers of love and honesty unite them.

"Awakenings: 'Youth' and 'Chitra'" involved a cast and crew of more than 50 Eastern students, staff and faculty who created elaborate sets, costumes, projections, sound effects and dance choreographies.