As the season of Fall approaches, it’s no surprise that change is in the air. Whether it be the start of the Spring semester, meeting new people, or the classic return of pumpkin spice, it’s undeniable that we have entered a season of new experiences.  However, with the incoming breeze of new beginnings, there is an equal wind of fresh endings too. 

Since Fall has begun, I’ve had my fair share of loss, and although at any other time of the year I would be trying to avoid dwelling on my own nostalgia, there is something about this time of year that lulls me to indulge my passionate feelings, even those emotions that aren’t usually celebrated. Jim Storm, a poet, speaks on the melancholy beautifully,

“October is about trees revealing colors they’ve hidden all year,

People have an October as well.”

Inspired by this idea that the changing of colors outside is more than just change, but a transformation that aids in revealing something that, in some way, has always been there. Something that has helped me work through my own grief this season is the show, Eurydice, being put on by TLU’s Dramatic Media. Sarah Ruhl, the playwright, wrote this piece during the loss of her father, stating that it was almost an attempt to have more conversations with him, even after his passing. Eurydice struggles with the loss of her lover and father in the play, exaggerating this thematic presence of grief and loss. 

As many were just recently made aware of, a deeply loved alum of TLU, Noah Westerfield, passed on Saturday, October 6^th. Though I never had the opportunity to meet this individual, the things I’ve heard about him brought nothing less than a deep appreciation for the life he lived and the light he brought to so many people. Navigating this deep loss for the community has proven to be a difficult one, but his love and life will continue to be immortalized through the hearts of his loved ones and the inspiration he left along his journey. 

During the delicate moments that entail processing one’s own grief, it could be beneficial to recognize the “why” behind grief. Though the concept of loss is heavily associated with ideas of sadness and melancholy, I urge everyone to remember the driving force of grief,

love.

It might sound incredibly cliché, but it’s somewhat endearing to remind ourselves in these times that love is the source of why we hold people dear to us, so when we experience this profound moment of loss, it’s our own true and present love we hold for them that lets grief take his moment in the sun. Of course, grief is no pleasurable experience, but it’s a reminder of our humanity and the strength and realness of our love. Lately, I find that to be one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching discoveries of my 2023. 

Love and blessings to Noah’s family members and his loved ones.

Directed by David Legore, Set Designed by Chris Evans, and Costume Designed by our Ally Williamson, this TLU production has been an all-hands-on-deck process. While we are still heavily in the process of making this show a show, there has been so much connection between students both in the technical side and on the acting side. With conversation of love, lust, and loss, Eurydice captures a new perspective on the classic tragedy of Orpheus and Eurydice. 

Just earlier today, this Oct. 11^th, our guest Lecturer Dr. Annie Labatt came to give the company some wonderful insight on the artistic representations of Orpheus and Eurydice throughout History. She spoke of artwork that depicted Orpheus and Eurydice wit symbols such as the lyre to exaggerate this concept of connectedness, such as the way a lyre connected with individual strings that depend on one another to produce a sound. This lecture truly highlighted this message of love and connection that remains stable through many versions of the tale.  It would be a crime to not recommend looking into the operas and ballets that retell Orpheus and Eurydice’s story as Dr. Labatt shared with us today. From this conversation, I began looking into the moments Sarah Ruhl wrote into her version of the tale and how we can translate these same feelings of deep love and grief for scenes that did not originate from the tale, but rather from personal connection of an experience she lived through. 

If you have the chance to come and experience the production, Eurydice, please do! As the Fall season continues to breeze change through our lives, we can all take a moment to sit and connect with each other over an eternally resonant message of love and loss. 

    “Eurydice, dying now a second time, uttered no complaint against her husband. What was    there to complain of, but that she had been loved?”

Ovid, 43 B. C-17 A. D. or 18 A. D. Ovid Metamorphoses. Edited by R. J. Tarrant, Oxford University Press, 2004.