Spring Awakening, a Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1891 play by Frank Wedekind, explores themes of teenage intimacy and sexuality through the repressive societal norms of a 19th-century German town.
For Assistant Professor Alison Morooney, who is directing the show, Spring Awakening’s sensitive themes and depictions are an opportunity to widen her students’ education while telling the story responsibly and authentically.
Intimacy choreographer Lusie Cuskey was brought on board to offer her specialized guidance to students. Cuskey, an assistant professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, teaches theatre classes in elements of understanding intimacy, and is on the faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education.
Similar to a dance choreographer, Cuskey gives students “clear ways to opt in to what works for their boundaries,” helping to shape scenes into “something that becomes set and repeatable based on actors’ needs.”
“Everybody working on this show is fantastic,” Cuskey said. “They don’t need me to be safe. They’ve brought me in because I’m a choreographer and I have an artistic lens.”
As Cuskey helps actors navigate intimate moments, she works to ensure they have the tools they need to set their own boundaries. She wants them to be comfortable enough to take a few risks and have fun.
Morooney believes that the extra steps needed for the actors to portray intimate scenes are crucial to the story.
“It’s a world where touch isn’t normally how they experience each other,” Morooney said. ”These moments of interconnectedness represent curiosity and questioning and freedom, and also the terrible things that happen when you don’t give space for a life outside of rigid control.”
Morooney believes that students are excited to dive into the challenging performance.
“For our students who are trying to broaden their skills and their experiences while they’re here, it is really important for them to be able to dip their toes into different styles, kinds of stories, and characters,” Morooney said.
As the actors portray these characters, Cuskey assures that the students will have the resources to successfully and comfortably play these characters.
“Sometimes, especially when we’re seeing family or friends in shows with intimacy or violence, we can worry about the actor a little bit, and it can take us out of the story,” Cuskey said. “The reason I am here is because Denison takes such care of its students to make sure that they have the support that they need, so that they can tell a story that is visceral and difficult in a way that is psychologically and physically safe and sustainable.”
Spring Awakening
Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI)
Directed and Choreographed by Alison Morooney
Winner of eight Tony Awards, Spring Awakening is a powerful, rock-driven coming-of-age musical that explores the restless yearning and suffocating alienation of adolescence. Set in 1891 Germany, the story follows a group of young classmates as they navigate desire and self-discovery in a rigid, unforgiving society. Spring Awakening contains strong language, mentions of abortion, verbal and sexual abuse, as well as depictions of violence, suicide, and sexual content.
The Spring Awakening Dates are:
- 7 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m.
- 7 p.m., Friday, May 1
- 7 p.m., Saturday, May 2
- 2 p.m., Sunday, May 3
This event is free and open to the public; however, tickets are required at artsatdenison.ludus.com. Tickets will be available starting April 6.
