The Head of Medusa paints a timeless picture of emotional barriers

Medusa, kneels with open arms amidst the veiled temple priestesses, embodying vulnerability and defiance. // Courtesy of Kansas City Public Theatre

KCPublic’s third annual Theatre Lab Fest explores the too-often female tragedy with The Head of Medusa between May 17 to 20, allowing audience members to feel each character’s footsteps, power, and emotion through an act that scrutinizes the representation of faces and emotions in a profoundly intimate setting.

Medusa—played by Kitty Corum—defends her encounter with the sea god Poseidon—played by Spencer Thompson. The performance gives equal weight to sound and silence as the characters move through song and dialogue.

Medusa sits cross-legged with Poseidon looming behind her, capturing the tension and complexity of their encounter. // Photo Courtesy of Kansas City Public Theatre

From the first moment, audience members are enveloped in darkness, their attention drawn to Medusa’s face on a silver disc, surrounded by a mess of snakes. This haunting image remains a central focus throughout the tale, confronting onlookers with an undeniable reality.

Despite the audience being within five steps of the stage, the use of veils and hidden faces shows the distance between Medusa and her sisters, mortals and the gods, and ‘monsters’ and society. 

The play explores themes of forgotten individuals in scandals, the effects of mental dissonance, and the losses incurred by blind loyalty to societal structures, reflecting the inherent messiness of human existence.

As Medusa recounts her shame and outrage, the audience witnesses society’s reactions—from the closeness and empathy of her sister and the goddess Persephone to the rejection by her fellow temple priestesses.

This tale calls the audience to combat their own judgment of others and challenge the origins of their ethics and legal beliefs.  In line with its policy of ‘Radical Hospitality,’ KC Public Theater is offering this play to the community for free at the door, though seats can also be purchased ahead of time. Check out this and all Theatre Lab Fest’s weekend shows on their website.