NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/18/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Jules Lambert is grabbing the opportunity to do the unexpected by playing the lead role in "Medea," which will be performed by the Northwestern Theatre Oct. 20-23. "Medea" will be presented along with "Oedipus Rox" beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Theatre West. Both plays were adapted by Mike Yionoulis from classic Greek tragedies. Scott Burrell is the director.

Lambert, a senior theatre major from Prairieville, has concentrated on comedic roles at NSU, serving as captain of the improvisational group, Out on a Limb.

"This will be different for me, not doing a comedic role," said Lambert. "This will be a challenge for me. Scott (Burrell) thought if I can do a comedic role I could do a dramatic role. I hope I prove him right."

Lambert will graduate in December. She plans to move to Chicago to work with Improvisational Olympics, a group she studied with last summer.

"Working with them made me realize how hard and in depth improvisation can be," she said. "I thought it would be easy and it wasn't.

"Some day, I hope to get paid to do improv. I love being out there without a script. When I do a show, I am not myself. People will come up to me the day after a show and tell me I was funny. I don't remember what I said that was funny."

Being involved in theatre runs in Lambert's family. She is the youngest of four children. Her brothers Kerry and David are theatre students at NSU and her sister Jennifer teaches theatre in New Orleans. Kerry is the choreographer for "Medea."

"It never was quiet around our house. We were always putting something on," said Jules Lambert. "And even though neither of my parents were in theatre, they always supported what we did."

And there haven't been any sibling rivalries between the Lamberts.

"Kerry has always directed me when I was growing up," she said. "I have always respected him. He is a very good dancer and choreographer."

In the play, Lambert plays the title character, who will go to any length to gain revenge.

"Her husband, Jason, is attracted to her, but Medea cannot help him fulfill his teams of being king. Jason then takes up with the king's daughter," said Lambert. "Medea gave up a lot for Jason. She left her homeland, betrayed her father and killed her brother. Then, she was left with nothing. So she took revenge on him."

Medea's desire for revenge caused her to kill everyone meaningful to Jason, including the couple's children.

"She doesn't consider what she is doing to be wrong," said Lambert. "Medea justifies it by thinking that this is the only way things would be made right."

Lambert says playing Medea is demanding on her.

"I am exhausted after every rehearsal. It takes so much energy out of me," she said. "Medea has so much energy, so much anger, yet a passion for what she is doing."

Lambert and the cast have been able to work with Yionoulis, who has been the playwright in residence during rehearsals.

"I have had so many questions about things Medea would say and do. Having him (Yionoulis) here has helped a lot," said Lambert. "Even now, I am finding out more about her."

Tickets for "Medea" and "Oedipus Rox" are $5. NSU students with I.D. are admitted free. For more information, call (318) 357-5814.

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