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| Here is the article about Coppelia that was recently in the Herald-Journal. Unfortunately, the writer focused too much on the "Frankenstein" analogy--which mischaracterizes the theme and mood of Coppelia; but there's no such thing as bad publicity. |
Area doctor's machine will bring life to 'Coppelia' ballet
By Linda Conley
Published: Sunday, April 6, 2008
Dr. Griffin Cupstid is building a machine to create the perfect woman.
The physician at Foothills Family Medicine in Cowpens hasn't turned into Dr. Frankenstein. He is making the device so audiences will think of Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory when they see Ballet Spartanburg's production of "Coppelia: The Girl With Enamel Eyes" at 3 p.m. Saturday and April 13 in the David Reid Theater at the Chapman Cultural Center.
Cupstid also is making some of the sets for the ballet. His machine will be used by "Doctor Coppelius" to give life to the woman.
"It's great to work on the sets," Cupstid said. "I enjoyed painting and drawing in high school, but I wasn't good enough to go to art school."
His two-car garage has been converted into a workshop. After a day of taking care of patients, Cupstid goes home and works on sets for ballet productions.
"I usually work on the sets during the weekend," he said. "I don't have too much time to get this one completed."
Cupstid and Chris McKinney work together on the sets. A North Carolina set designer developed the plans they are using to create the machine.
The device, made of plywood and other materials, stands about 6 feet tall and about 5 1/2 feet wide. The back is open so lights can be placed inside to create a kaleidoscope effect.
When "Doctor Coppelius," played by Carlos Agudelo, Ballet Spartanburg choreographer and artistic director, pulls the wooden handle, the machine will light up and resemble the one Dr. Frankenstein used to create his monster. Cupstid also is making some electrodes to light up while the machine is running.
"Griffin has the patience and imagination to make the sets," Agudelo said. "It takes talent to make magic out of plywood, metal and other materials."
One of the challenges was to create a lightweight piece easy to move around on the stage. But after 10 years, Cupstid has learned some things about making sets.
"I can sit in the audience during a ballet and look at a set and come up with other ideas of how to make it better," he said. "That happens all the time."
Creating the machine is essential to the ballet. "Coppelia" focuses on the doctor's determination to make a woman as real as possible.
In the ballet, a young man who catches a glimpse of the doll thinks she is real and wants to cancel his marriage plans.
The ballet first premiered in 1870, but the local ballet company is creating a modern version. Cupstid is familiar with the story and wanted to create a set to resemble Dr. Frankenstein's machine.
"Audiences today will be able to relate to Dr. Frankenstein's lab," Agudelo said.
[...]
A video of the "dynamo" is posted on YouTube.
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