Ithaca College

Ithaca College Theatre will share the story of Homer’s "The Odyssey" transported to the modern world in “Anon(ymous),” written by Naomi Iizuka. Guest directed by Jen Wineman, the production tells the tale of shipwrecked Anon as he considers what it means to be a refugee in America, searching for home while steering his way though chaos, cruelty and temptation.

Performances will run in the Clark Theatre in Dillingham Center at 8 p.m. on December 1, 3, 4 and 5, as well as at 2 p.m. on December 5 and 6. “Anon(ymous)” is suitable for school-aged children; in fact, the play was originally commissioned by a children’s theatre company.

Ticket prices are $10 for the preview performance on December 1 and $14 for all performances on December 3, 4, 5, and 6. Student/youth tickets for all performances are $7. Tickets are on sale online at ithaca.ticketforce.com, and through the Ithaca College box office located in Dillingham Center. The box office is open noon–5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon–4 p.m. on Fridays. Tickets may be purchased at the box office by calling (607) 274-3224.

The play begins with the main character, Anon, who has been separated from his mother and is now in unfamiliar territory. Through many adventures, Anon tries to remember where he came from and who he is in order to find home. This idea of being lost has became very poignant as current news spreads about the Syrian refugees fleeing their homes. Director Wineman elaborates, "the fact that 'Anon(ymous)' is first and foremost a story about the refugee experience came into focus for me as the Syrian refugee crisis began to dominate the news. The image of hordes of women and children huddled together on a boat to escape a war torn country figures prominently in the play… I've never directed a play that was more timely, or that was able to humanize world events more powerfully. 'Anon(ymous)' is ultimately a story about hope, and there is no emotion more human than that."
 
Wineman, in collaboration with the design team, has been hard at work creating the unique world of the play. Student Randy Wong-Westbrooke (‘16), is the scenic designer for the show.  Wong-Westbrooke initially proposed the play as an option for the 2015-2016 season. Wong-Westbrooke explains, "I pitched 'Anon(ymous)' for several reasons, but one is the fact that the playwright, Naomi Iizuka, is a woman of color; she's written a story that calls for a multi-cultural cast, and I knew it was going to be a great, creative challenge for the whole design team."

A nationally recognized professional theatre-training program, the Department of Theatre Arts attracts students from across the globe. Throughout the school year, undergraduate students present all aspects of theatre in a professional model. Visit www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/theatre/mainstage/ for further information.

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The Dillingham Center accommodates all patrons. Individuals with special needs are asked to contact (607) 274-3224 to request accommodations as soon as possible.