Medea
by Euripides
Adapted by Diane Swanson
TheatreMSU
February 2025
Starkville, MS
Director: Kylie Dowd
Stage Manager: Sierra Robinson
Scenic Design: Jesse Wade
Lighting Design: Greg Thorn
Costume Design: Taetum Sinclair
Sound Design: Kat Trinque
Assistant Sound Design: Kensi Frasure
Props Design: Sam Phyfer
Design Concept
Medea by Euripides is a classic Greek tragedy about Medea’s search for revenge and the conflict that stems from her efforts. This sound design immerses the audience in the liminal space between Medea’s inner thoughts and external reality, using the Greek chorus not just as a traditional narrative tool, but as a representation of Medea’s fragmented psyche.
By utilizing recordings of the actual actors performing the chorus, manipulating them to create an otherworldly, immersive auditory experience, and utilizing a unique speaker plot to surround the audience with these voices, the design puts the audience directly inside Medea’s head. The eerie cello drones deepen this descent into Medea’s mental landscape, combining dissonant harmonies and extended techniques to reinforce the psychological weight of her decisions. Every sound, from the chorus to the smallest effect, will work to create an emotionally charged, immersive experience that reflects the unrelenting chaos of Medea’s inner world and the tragic consequences that unfold.
Paperwork
Audio Samples
Wear headphones to get the best listening experience.
This soundscape, based on my final sound design for Medea, immerses the audience in the unstable space between Medea’s inner thoughts and the world around her. Built from manipulated recordings of the chorus actors—captured during dedicated recording sessions I conducted—the voices shift between clear speech and abstract textures, creating an otherworldly presence that reflects Medea’s psyche.
All drone elements are derived from my own cello performance, using evolving harmonies to mirror her emotional descent. Subtle breaths, whispers, and rhythmic pulses—also sourced from the cast recordings—weave through the mix, heightening tension and signaling her movement toward vengeance.
Through dynamic spatialization and layered audio, the soundscape places the audience inside Medea’s psychological landscape, capturing the intensity and tragic momentum of her final decisions.
