B Kleymeyer is a playwright, director, and educator with a Master of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University, where she was awarded a John Wells Directing Fellowship (2024), and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Jewish Studies from the University of Maryland (2016). Specializing in adapting and directing classical and contemporary works, B focuses on reimagining timeless stories for today’s audiences. Her experience includes teaching, dramaturgy, and devising new works, often exploring themes of identity, power, and storytelling. B has collaborated with various theatre companies and academic institutions, blending scholarship with creative practice to bring fresh perspectives to the stage.
Adapting a classic play like Medea is no small feat! B, in collaboration with the CCBC Theatre Program, enthusiastically accepted the challenge. Drawing from Euripides’ original text, this adaptation blends contemporary themes with timeless tragedy, offering a version of Medea that connects with today’s audiences.
When asked about the inspiration behind this adaptation, B shared:
“Three years ago, I started adapting the works of Euripides. I became fascinated by how different his work was than the other extant tragedians. While we think of the work of Aeschylus and Sophocles as serving the purpose of teaching audiences about democracy and helping war veterans process trauma, Euripides’ work is quite critical of the Greek justice system, religion, and war. Aristotle, years after Euripides’ death, writes that he was the most tragic of all the tragedians. From my perspective, this shift in Euripides’ writing is a direct result of living through a time when the Greek Empire was fracturing. Greece was at war throughout the majority of Euripides’ life. I find a parallel between Euripides and artists today. We are making art while the world rapidly changes and violence consumes our every day.”
This adaptation was a collaborative effort, involving students and faculty from the CCBC Theatre Program. B explains that early on in this process, the students of CCBC expressed an interest in Medea’s children being teenagers—a choice B found both exciting and horrifying. “The students in both Julie Lewis’ playwriting class and those working on the production have helped me uncover this story of Medea.” This creative tension fueled the adaptation, pushing it into bold and thought-provoking territory.
While Medea is an ancient tale, its themes of betrayal, justice, and power are still strikingly relevant. B discusses how this adaptation differs from Euripides’ original version.
“The Greek Theatre served an important civic function. It allowed audiences a dedicated space to purge themselves of negative emotions. The hope was that after a long day at the theatre, the citizens of Athens could return to their everyday lives even-keeled, stable, stoic. Throughout the twentieth century, theatre artists started to push back on this idea. They believed catharsis, or the purging of emotions at the theatre would prevent the proletariat from rising up against their oppressors. Theatre artists like Bertolt Brecht and Antonin Artaud attempted to make theatre that would wake an audience up, inspire people to action in their everyday life. In adapting Euripides’ work, I employ techniques from both the Greek and contemporary theatre in hopes that an audience will find themselves both emotionally and politically invigorated.”
For those experiencing this adaptation, B hopes they take away an understanding that our capacity for cruelty is as large as our capacity for compassion. Whether it’s a deeper understanding of Medea’s choices or a reflection on the consequences of ambition and revenge, this adaptation invites audiences to engage with the play in a thought-provoking way.
The Arts at CCBC presents Medea as part of its 2024-25 season under the theme Belonging. The season is filled with performances that celebrate stories of people finding a home, building their own community, and carving a place for themselves.
See Medea March 13 – March 17 at CCBC Essex, Robert and Eleanor Romadka College Center, F. Scott Black Theatre.
Performance Dates: March 13 at 11:10 a.m., March 14, 15 at 7 p.m., March 16 at 3 p.m. ASL Interpreted, March 17 at 10 a.m.
General admission $10, Seniors, Students, CCBC Faculty/Staff/Alumni $5, FREE for CCBC Students with current ID
Purchase tickets online at www.ccbctickets or call the Box Office at 443-840-ARTS.
CONTENT WARNING: Medea includes strong language, depictions of violence, and themes that may not be suitable for young viewers.