The FOSSE (Figures of Speech Student Ensemble), began as a 4-month long after-school program in 2007/2008 at Freeport High School. Figures of Speech Director of Education Ian Bannon came back from a summer intensive program all fired up to create new theater through working with an ensemble. We cooked up a plan, got clearance from Freeport High School (and use of the wonderful Freeport Performing Arts Center!), and plunged in.

Perseus the Gorgon Slayer is a soaring, coming-of-age tale centers around Perseus' battle to protect his mother and adoptive father by completing an impossible task: to fetch the head of Medusa! Along the way Perseus is aided by nymphs & gods, outsmarts witches, battles mythical beasts and finds true love.

The 14-member student ensemble was directed by Ian and guided by Figures of Speech Co-Directors Carol and John Farrell, with guest artist/teachers Stoney Cook (lighting design) and Beverly Mann (mask work). Besides performing as actors and puppeteers, students sculpted masks, composed music, collaborated on scripting, choreographed dances, and made a video documentary of the piece.

The process culminated in January 2008 with wildly successful performances of Perseus the Gorgon Slayer at the Freeport Performing Arts Center.

'Perseus the Gorgon Slayer' was made possible in part by funding from the Maine Arts Commission and the Freeport Performing Arts Boosters.