Director of ‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ at Near West Theatre hopes show inspires

Posted July 18, 2025 in Articles

Author: John Benson

Director of ‘Hadestown: Teen Edition’ at Near West Theatre hopes show inspires

The ensemble of “Hadestown: Teen Edition” performs at Near West Theatre. (Submitted) By John Benson

PUBLISHED: July 16, 2025 at 8:00 AM EDT

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Trinidad Snider discovered years ago that when it comes to the award-winning “Hadestown,” going to hell and back can be quite a fun ride.

That’s why the Near West Theatre’s artistic director is excited to direct the Cleveland company’s teen edition of the show, which runs July 18 through Aug. 3 in the Gordon Square Arts District.

“It’s just a story that I’ve always connected with,” she said. “I feel like in the genre of musical theater, we’re seeing a lot of the same styles being told. One of the things I loved about ‘Hadestown’ is that it was just a new sort of fresh way to tell a story that’s kind of stripped down. That’s really what spoke the most to me.”

“Hadestown” follows the intertwined journeys of Orpheus and Eurydice, as well as Hades and Persephone, in a mythic underworld where love battles fear and hope must sing louder than despair.

Snider is excited to put her own fingerprints on the popular production, which was the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards — including Best New Musical — and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

“I’ve actually seen a couple of productions already that pretty much mirror Broadway or what the touring company has done,” said Snider, who complimented scenic designer Cameron Michalak for creating what she described as a different environment where the two dozen teen cast members (ages 15–19) can share their own story through art.

Considering she started acting at Near West Theatre at 15 years old, the director is excited to tap directly into the same teen angst she once felt on its stage.

“One of the things I love about working with teens in general – and especially teens in this generation — is they’re not afraid to have those heavy conversations,” she said. “They’re not afraid to talk about not necessarily all the light and joy that comes into a situation, but they’re also willing to talk about the hard things.

“So I was so excited to start telling the story with them because they’re not afraid to jump into this material, into these themes and really deliberate from a very authentic place. I value that, I appreciate it and I love being able to collaborate with them on that level.”

The director noted that the other appealing aspect of “Hadestown” is that even though it may not necessarily have a happy ending, the story is about more, which she feels mirrors the current climate.

That’s why she hopes the show closer — “We Raise Our Cups” — inspires audiences to do the same.

“It’s 2025, there are a lot of things happening in the world right now where I feel it’s imperative that as communities we have to come together,” she said. “We have to raise our cups. We have to celebrate and lift those who might need that additional support and not allow ourselves to just be on the sidelines, but to really put ourselves in there for the people that we love.

“Because it’s through community and connection that change is possible. So I hope they leave thinking, what is my next step to join in that and how do I raise that cup in my own community.”

“Hadestown: Teen Edition”

When: July 18 through Aug. 3 (times vary)

Where: Near West Theatre, 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland

Tickets: $20

Info: nearwesttheatre.org

Original Article: http://https://www.news-herald.com/2025/07/16/director-of-hadestown-teen-edition-at-near-west-theatr