March 1, 2011, Greencastle, Ind. — What happens when a waitress gets caught in a love triangle with the likes of Zeus and Hera? Loosely based the Greek myth of Io, At the Diner places classical influence within a contemporary context in DePauw Theatre's third production of the 2010-11 season. Written for the stage by senior Emily Terrell and directed by professor Steve Timm, At the Diner chronicles one young woman's pursuit of happiness in spite of uncontrollable outside forces. (at left: Jackie Keyes and Jack Simon)
The production opens Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Moore 
Theatre of the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts. Performances will continue Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m.
At the Diner tells the story of Io, a waitress in a Midwestern diner who is looking for something more to life. Little does she know that Zeus, king of Mount Olympus, has filled the diner's new janitor's position. Io catches his romantic interest, as well as the jealousy of his wife, Hera. Fed up with her husband's infidelity and bent on revenge, Hera makes a bet with Zeus that challenges the classical conventions of fate and free will. (at right: Ariel Brosman and Ashley Collins)
For playwright Emily Terrell, At the Diner arose out of an interest generated from professor Steve Timm's "Writing for the Stage, Screen and TV" course. Though Terrell's primary love lies in acting, her theatre major required her to "expand in all directions," she says. At the Diner is the result of her exploration.
Terrell first started penning the script last fall, at a time in which Greek influence played a heavy role in her 
coursework. Having traveled to Athens for Winter Term the previous year, coupled with her studies of classical theatre and involvement in DePauw's production of Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice, Terrell (pictured at left) was inspired to try her own adaptation of Greek myth. She was first exposed to the story of Io while reading Aeschylus' Promethus Bound and wanted to retell it within an imaginative modern context. Her undertaking of the story was also in part a response to the lack of female characters in many contemporary plays.
"The decision came naturally, but I think it also came from a place of frustration at the lack of opportunity for a lot of the wonderfully talented women we have involved in DePauw Theatre," Terrell said. "Roles seem to be more prevalent for males than females, and their roles are often stronger, meatier. I'm happy that the play showcases strong, complex women."
At the Diner's presentation marks the first time in years that a student-written play has been produced as part of the mainstage season. "This type of faculty/student collaboration is intrinsic to President Casey's vision for the University, and is at the essence 
of what we do in communication and theatre,” says Timm, John Rabb Emison Professor of Creative and Performing Arts and professor
and chair of communication and theatre at DePauw.
Tickets for At the Diner are $3 for students and $6 for adults and are available for purchase at the Green Center box office, which is open Monday-through-Friday 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and one hour prior to showtime. Information and reservations are available by calling (765) 658-4827 or e-mailing greencenter@depauw.edu. (photo at right: Ariel Brosman and Jackie Keyes)
Also available for purchase are DePauw Theatre patron passes. Purchasers are entitled to five tickets for the price of four. The passes are available at both student and adult price levels. To purchase or obtain additional information, contact the Green Center box office at the contacts listed above.
Learn more about DePauw Theatre here.