Young Playwright Studies Ancient Egypt
by LESLEE YOUNG 06/18/1997
By age 22, few people have accomplishments under their belts to brag about. But John Cruncleton is an exception. Already with three plays written and produced, Cruncleton is fast at work on his fourth, "Pharaoh's Hymn."
Performed by Cruncleton's Midwestern Theater Troupe, the play is a surreal study set in Egypt of the pharaoh Akhnaton and his relationship with his wife, Nefertiti.
Akhnaton, who ruled Egypt from 1377 to 1360 B.C., had two battling impulses throughout his reign: an obsession for his wife and an obsessive worship for the sun. Both of these obsessions consumed him, Cruncleton said, therefore occupying his mind to the exclusion of all else, including the Egyptian nation.
Cruncleton's interest in the former ruler actually began in high school, he said.
"I'd always toyed around with this guy in my head since learning about him in my high school humanities class. He's got this (reputation) as being very altruistic and humane, and one of the first great philosophers," he said.
Cruncleton said Akhnaton is often compared to poets like Percy Shelley. But Cruncleton couldn't help but to question the validity of these claims, he said, especially after researching the pharaoh's past.
"He instituted the monotheistic worship of the sun god, Aton," Cruncleton said. Akhnaton forbade the Egyptians to worship any other gods but Aton, which was the sun at midday, the cruelest time of day, he added.
"Any sane Egyptian would take shelter during that time of day. They realized and acknowledged that the sun was life giving, but it was also not wise to sunburn yourself, as well," Cruncleton said. "And, he built his temples without ceilings; so you're supposed to worship at noon and get boiled by the sun."
Along with Akhnaton's worship of the sun, he worshipped his wife. "I kind of came up with this dichotomy between him and his wife, Nefertiti, who is famous still for being such a beauty," he said. Cruncleton said the amount of devotion Akhnaton had for Nefertiti was bordering on obsession.
"Therefore, I structured the play around these two battling impulses, his sensual side contrasted with this pure, flight of fancy with the sun."
Each of Cruncleton's productions have been performed by the Midwestern Theater Troupe, a group of actors Cruncleton assembled about a year ago. He said there are about five core members within the troupe, although none are paid for their performances.
In order to complete "Pharaoh's Hymn," Cruncleton needed several more actors to fill spots of the 18 to 19 characters written into the play. Chris Long, director of Wayward Theater Troupe, provided the solution.
The two troupes joined forces recently, and they are now working together on other plays. Cruncleton said the Wayward Theater Troupe is similar to his troupe in that both are small organizations that operate on small budgets.
Prior to working together, Cruncleton and the Midwestern Theater Troupe called the ADAMS theater at 15th Street and Delaware Avenue, home.
When the ADAMS closed approximately a year ago, the troupe was left to find shelter, elsewhere.
With rent costs at places like the Performing Arts Center beyond their budget, Cruncleton finally found a home at the Springdale Community Center, 2223 E. Pine St.
Part of the mission of the troupe is to rehabilitate neglected facilities or work with spaces conventional wisdom deems undesirable, he said. While at the ADAMS, the troupe not only performed, but they did construction work, too.
At their current location, the troupe is starting over from scratch, he said.
"At the Springdale Community Center, they actually have a little black box, it's a small stage," he said. "There are no wings or backstage space, but there's a platform that's enclosed with three walls.
"What we've done is to build an apron on the front of that, and we're also using the floor as a thrust, so we have three levels." Cruncleton said the arrangement with Springdale has been wonderful. "I know there's a stigma attached to stuff that goes on at community centers, and people think it's probably going to be pretty half baked. But if we can continually do provocative work, even if it's not on a professional level, as long as there's a constant stream, I think people will start to associate the place with us."
As far as in the future, Cruncleton, who also performs with the troupe, said he plans to continue writing.
"Our goal is to stay in this area of the country and make something viable here. I don't really have any grandiose schemes to develop a professional troupe, but I'd like to develop a quality troupe," he said.
"Pharaoh's Hymn" is currently in production stages and performance dates are scheduled for 7 p.m., June 20, 21, 27 and 28, at the Springdale Community Center. Admission for is $5. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 488-0841.