Acis & Galatea
Embedded Files
Ithaca College, Clark Theater
Spring 2026
Composed by George Frederic Handel
English Libretto by John Gay
Directed by Ben Robinson
Assistant Director is Abigail Raegan
Music Direction by Christopher Zemliauskas
Choreography by Amy Walker O'Brien
Assistant Choreographer is Sofia Monella
Intimacy Direction by Priscilla Hummel
Scenic Design by Oliver Canales Greenwood
Costume Design by Dominic Padilla
Assistant Costume Design by Jocelyn Hinks
Lighting Design by Ian Donahue
Assistant Lighting Designer is Lee Weiss
Stage Managed by Dena Chen
Photography by Simon Wheeler & Ian Donahue
World of the Play
World of the Play
Acis and Galatea follows the story of Acis, a human shephers, and his chosen love Galatea, a river nymph living at the base of Mount Etna. Our production explored themes of status quo, queer love, and isolation. Ben and I wanted the clothing in act one to reflect the forced sterilization of the "perfect society" and "perfect nature" that the characters were attempting to achieve. Whereas in act two, we wanted to allow for the resurfacing of color after Polyphemus' entrance shatters their wrongfully idealized perfection.
Galatea
Galatea
A beautiful and gentle naiade (river nymph) of the mountain who falls in love with the human Acis. She dislikes the way that Polyphemus treats her and the others of the mountain but still attempts to extend kindness towards him.
Acis
Acis
A human shepherd of the mountain, a gentle and weak boy who chooses to seal his love with Galatea over his love for Polyphemus. He does not fit in with the other shepherds, but is encouraged by Damon to set aside his differences and work to become more like the other shepherds. He still holds strong feelings for Polyphemus, but chooses to walk the path of marrying Galatea, even when this path proves to have consequences.
Polyphemus
Polyphemus
The "monster of the mountain," the cyclops Polypheme. In our production of Acis and Galatea, the story surrounds and encompases his love for Acis and his anger around that heartbreak. He is cast out of society because he is different than what their status quo is, and is shunned from the group due to his queerness. He lets the isolation and rejection seep into him and fester his anger and frustration to the point of violence.
Damon
Damon
A friend to Acis, a man who works to give wisdoms. He becomes an extension of several characters, finding his way to guide the situations and encounters of all major characters of the story.
Chorus & Dancers
Chorus & Dancers
The chorus is made up of shepherds, closer to the world of the Earth, Acis' world. The dancers are naiades, dryads, oreads, creatures of Galatea's world. They both work to give context to the state of the world and the experiences of Acis, Galatea, and Polyphemus.
Paperwork Samples
Paperwork Samples
02.08.25 - A&G Piece Lists V.7.pdf02.08.25 - A&G Costume Plot V.4.pdfPage updated
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