The Department of Theatre and Dance opened its spring semester season with “Antigone” last week. The production was directed by Herb Parker and starred Sarah Hill as the titular character. The performance took place in the Bud Frank Theatre in Gilbreath Hall. This rendition was re-translated by Anne Carson.
Set in a modernized version of Ancient Greece, where the guards wear Kevlar and the king wears a double breasted suit reminiscent of a dictator, the production tells the story of Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, former King of Thebes. Following his reign, a civil war for the throne broke out, and Oedipus’ sons, Eteocles and Polynices, have killed each other in the conflict. The new king, Creon, has declared that Eteocles will be celebrated and honored, while Polynices’ body will be left to rot and denied funeral rites, a severe punishment in Ancient Greek culture. Antigone, out of a desire to spend the afterlife with her brothers, performs the funeral rites herself.
The play’s themes of natural law and civil disobedience went on to inspire similar Enlightenment ideas, which formed the foundation for American law and culture.
“Even in our troubled times today, we can take solace in the hope … that one person, willing to stand alone, can make a lasting difference for the public good,” Parker wrote in the director’s notes. “That is what this play is all about.”
Other members of the cast include Billie Williams as Ismene, sister of Antigone; Alex Hennage as King Creon; Abigail Arnett and Nick Brassell as Chorus Leaders (portrayed in the play as reporters); Ethan Harbin as Haimon, Creon’s son; Aubrey Toncray as Eurydike; Luke Walker as Tiresias, Ryan Leonard as a guard and Darrius Akridge as a messenger.
The cast spent about four weeks rehearsing nightly and performed five shows, including a free open dress rehearsal the Thursday before the weekend show.
“It was a good group to work with,” Brassell said. “Everyone is very skilled … here in the department and Herb, our director, definitely knows what he is doing.”
Next on the department’s agenda will be “Bridge to Terabithia” directed by Cara Harker.
