Theater of War Productions has established a roster of over 20 projects, each providing a nuanced approach to pressing public health and social justice issues.
-
Pandemic & Climate Crisis
Pandemic & Climate Crisis
The Oedipus Project
Dramatic Reading of Oedipus the King, by Sophocles
Translated, Directed, and Facilitated Bryan Doerries
The Oedipus Project presents acclaimed actors reading scenes from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King as a catalyst for powerful, constructive, global conversations about the climate crisis, ecological disaster, environmental justice, and healing online conversations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon diverse communities throughout the world. Sophocles’ ancient play, first performed in 429 BC, just after the first wave of a plague that killed nearly one-third of the Athenian population, is a story of arrogant leadership, ignored prophecy, intergenerational curses, and a pestilence and ecological collapse that ravages the archaic city of Thebes. Seen through this lens, Oedipus the King appears to have been a powerful tool for helping Athenians communalize trauma and loss, while interrogating their own complicit role in the suffering, not just of those around them but of generations to come.
-
Pandemic & Climate Crisis
Poetry for the Pandemic
Using poetry as a catalyst for an Intergenerational performance and discussion during the Covid-19 pandemic.
-
Pandemic & Climate Crisis
An Enemy of The People
Dramatic Reading of An Enemy of the People, by Henrik Ibsen
Adapted, directed, and facilitated by Bryan Doerries
An Enemy of the People presents acclaimed actors, public health leaders, scientists, journalists, elected officials, and local community members performing dramatic readings of scenes from Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 play An Enemy of the People to help frame powerful, guided audience discussions aimed at generating connection, understanding, compassion, moral repair, and much-needed healing. The play tells the story of a doctor who discovers the water supply in his small, rural town has been poisoned by a tannery. Despite his efforts to convey the truth to the public, the doctor fails to save his community from environmental disaster and is ultimately scapegoated for his whistleblowing. An Enemy of the People was first performed in Norway in 1882, and yet it speaks to the present moment as if it were written for our times — to the corrosive influence of power and money in politics, the distortions of the media, and the many other challenges to public health in our culture today, especially during times of crisis.
-
Racialized Police Violence
Racialized Police Violence
Antigone in Ferguson
Dramatic Reading of Antigone, by Sophocles
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
Music Composed By Phil Woodmore
Antigone in Ferguson is a groundbreaking project that fuses dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of Sophocles’ Antigone with live choral music performed by a diverse choir, including activists, youth, teachers, police officers, and concerned citizens from St. Louis, Missouri and New York City, culminating in powerful, healing discussions about racialized violence, police brutality, systemic oppression, gender-based violence, health inequality, and social justice. Antigone in Ferguson was conceived in the wake of Michael Brown’s death in 2014, through a collaboration between Theater of War Productions and community members from Ferguson, MO, and premiered at Normandy High School, Michael Brown’s alma mater, in September of 2016.
-
Caregiving & Death
Caregiving & Death
End of Life
Dramatic Reading of Women of Trachis + Philoctetes, by Sophocles
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
End of Life presents readings of ancient Greek plays in public settings and medical communities as a catalyst for facilitated discussions about challenges faced by patients, families, and health professionals today around end of life care. This unique, participatory event is intended to promote powerful, open discussion among diverse communities - public and professional - fostering compassion, cooperation, and understanding about living with chronic suffering and the mortality we all share.
-
Caregiving & Death
King Lear Project
Dramatic Reading of King Lear, by William Shakespeare
Adapted and Directed by Bryan Doerries
The King Lear Project presents streamlined readings of scenes from Shakespeare’s King Lear to engage diverse audiences—including older adults, caregivers, and family members—in open, healing, constructive, discussions about the challenges of aging, dementia, and caring for friends and loved ones.
-
Caregiving & Death
Theater of War Frontline
Dramatic Reading of Ajax + Oedipus the King + Philoctetes + Women of Trachis, by Sophocles
Translated, Directed, and Facilitated by Bryan Doerries
Theater of War Frontline is an innovative project—developed by Theater of War Productions, the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and the Johns Hopkins Program in Arts, Humanities & Health—that presents dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of scenes from ancient Greek plays for audiences of frontline medical professionals to open up powerful dialogue about difficult subjects, fostering a sense of connection and promoting health-seeking behavior. By presenting ancient plays to doctors, nurses, EMTs, respiratory therapists, and the frontline community about emotionally-charged, ethically complex situations, Theater of War Frontline aims to create a brave space for open, candid dialogue and reflection, fostering compassion, a renewed sense of community, and positive action.
-
Caregiving & Death
The Nurse Antigone
Dramatic Reading of Antigone, by Sophocles
A groundbreaking project by and for nurses, The Nurse Antigone presents dramatic readings of Sophocles’ Antigone on Zoom—featuring professional actors and a chorus of frontline nurses—to help frame powerful, guided discussions about the unique challenges faced by nurses before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
Caregiving & Death
The Susie King Taylor Project
Dramatic Reading of Reminiscences of My Life in Camp, by Susie King Taylor
A dramatic reading of Susie King Taylor's memoir to help frame powerful, guided discussions about challenges faced by Nurses and Veterans.
-
War & Mental Health
War & Mental Health
Theater of War
Dramatic Reading of Ajax + Philoctetes, by Sophocles
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
Rooted in discussions about the invisible and visible wounds of war, the company’s hallmark project is designed to increase awareness of psychological health issues, disseminate information on available resources, and foster greater community cohesion.
-
War & Mental Health
The Tecmessa Project
Dramatic Reading of Ajax, by Sophocles
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
The Tecmessa Project presents readings of Sophocles’s Ajax, an ancient play about the visible and invisible wounds of war, as the catalyst for discussions focusing on the unique challenges faced by military family members, including couples, children, caregivers, and communities. This project is designed to promote understanding, compassion, and positive action.
-
War & Mental Health
Theater of War: Hector, Andromache, and the Death of Astyanax
Dramatic Reading of Iliad, Book VI, by Homer The Trojan Women, by Euripides
Translated, directed, and facilitated Bryan Doerries
Theater of War: Hector, Andromache, and the Death of Astyanax presents live, dramatic readings of selections from Homer’s Iliad, Book VI and scenes from The Trojan Women by Euripides—featuring acclaimed actors and a Chorus of students, from a variety of backgrounds, whose lives have been impacted by war—to help frame powerful, healing dialogue about the human cost of war, centered on the suffering of children and civilians. The project uses ancient texts that explore and depict the dehumanization of war to create a vocabulary for openly discussing challenging and divisive subjects, with the aim of generating compassion, empathy, moral repair, understanding, and positive action.
-
Incarceration
Incarceration
Prometheus in Prison
Dramatic Reading of Prometheus Bound, by Aeschylus
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
Prometheus in Prison is an innovative public health project that presents readings of Aeschylus’ Prometheus Bound, an ancient Greek play about god who is imprisoned for stealing fire and giving it to humans, as a catalyst for powerful discussions about the challenges faced by individuals, families, and communities whose lives have been touched by the criminal justice system. For the past decade years, this groundbreaking project has been used to open up healing dialogue in a variety of settings, including prisons, detention centers, and public venues throughout the country and the world.
-
Addiction & Substance Abuse
Addiction & Substance Abuse
Addiction Performance Project
Dramatic Reading of Long Day's Journey Into Night, by Eugene O'neill
Directed by Bryan Doerries
Designed to raise awareness about opiate addiction and alcohol abuse, the project is intended to promote dialogue about helping those who are struggling with addiction.
-
Addiction & Substance Abuse
The Dionysus Project
Dramatic Reading of The Bacchae, by Euripides
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
The Dionysus Project is an innovative public health project that presents readings of scenes from Euripides' Bacchae, an ancient Greek play about the destructive power of intoxication, as a catalyst for town hall discussions about the impact of substance abuse and addiction upon individuals, families, and communities. The project uses an ancient Greek tragedy, written nearly 2500 years ago, to engage audiences in crucial discussions about the timelessness of the human struggle with substance abuse and addiction, as well as resources and solutions that communities can utilize today.
-
Addiction & Substance Abuse
Rum and Vodka
Dramatic Reading of Rum and Vodka, by Conor Mcpherson
Directed by Bryan Doerries
This project presents a one-man Irish play about a 24-year-old whose life is coming apart, due to drinking, in order to provoke discussions about alcoholism and addiction within diverse communities.
-
Refugees & Immigration
Refugees & Immigration
The Suppliants Project
Dramatic Reading of The Suppliants, by Aeschylus
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
The Suppliants Project tells the timeless story of fifty female refugees seeking asylum at a border from forced marriage and domestic violence. The play not only depicts the struggle of these women to cross into safety, but also the internal struggle within the city that ultimately receives them. Using a 2,500-year-old tragedy by Aeschylus as a catalyst for powerful gatherings and crucial conversations, The Suppliants Project engages diverse audiences in humanizing, constructive dialogue about the challenges and impact of war, migration, and seeking asylum.
-
Homelessness
Homelessness
The Oedipus at Colonus Project
Dramatic Reading of Oedipus at Colonus, by Sophocles
The Oedipus at Colonus Project presents readings of scenes from Sophocles’ final play, Oedipus at Colonus, as catalyst for powerful, community-driven conversations about homelessness, the immigration and refugee crisis, and the challenges of eldercare during and after the pandemic.
-
Racism & Social Justice
Racism & Social Justice
The Drum Major Instinct
Dramatic Reading of The Drum Major Instinct, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Directed by Bryan Doerries
Composed and Arranged by Phil Woodmore
Commissioned by BRIC, The Drum Major Instinct engages audiences in dialogue about racism, inequality, and social justice. The performance features a dramatization of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final sermon, embodied by prominent actors and supported by a large gospel choir, composed of singers, activists, police officers, and musicians from St. Louis, MO, and Brooklyn, NY.
-
Racism & Social Justice
Frederick Douglass
Directed by Bryan Doerries
Frederick Douglass is a project that presents dramatic readings of Douglass' speeches by professional actors as a catalyst for powerful dialogue about racism, inequality, civil rights, education, and the legal system with the objective of fostering compassion, understanding, and positive action.
-
Racism & Social Justice
Mothers of The Movement
A conversation with Gwen Carr—mother of Eric Garner, author of This Stops Today—and Valerie Bell—mother of Sean Bell, author of Just 23—about their tireless work as Mothers of the Movement to end police violence.
-
Racism & Social Justice
Antigone in Savannah
Dramatic Reading of Antigone, by Sophocles
Translated, directed, and facilitated by Bryan Doerries
Music composed and conducted by Dr. Philip A. Woodmore
Dramatic readings of Sophocles’ Antigone with live music to frame powerful dialogue about honoring the dead and healing historical wounds.
-
Consent & Sexual Violence
Consent & Sexual Violence
Tape
Dramatic Reading of Tape, by Stephen Belber
Directed by Bryan Doerries
Tape has been developed as a sexual assault awareness and prevention training program that uses dramatic readings of Stephen Belber’s 1999 play to ignite powerful discussions about consent, sexual assault, rape, and power dynamics.
-
Gun Violence
Gun Violence
Hercules
Dramatic Reading of Madness of Hercules, by Euripides
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
Drawing from an ancient Greek tragedy about a vicious act of violence committed by an angry man with an invincible weapon, this project aims to generate powerful dialogue between concerned citizens, members of the law enforcement community, victims and perpetrators of gun violence, and the general public.
-
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Project
Dramatic Reading of A Streetcar Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Bryan Doerries
Addressing the impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and communities, the Domestic Violence Project premiered in Maine in April 2013 and will be touring all five boroughs of New York City under the current PAIR residency.
-
Domestic Violence
Medea
Dramatic Reading of Medea, by Euripides
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
Medea timelessly depicts how scorned passion can lead to revenge and, sometimes, unthinkable violence. This project, which premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in June 2016, delves into under-discussed mental health issues that affect women and their families.
-
Domestic Violence
Patient and Impatient Griselda
Dramatic Reading of Patient and Impatient Griselda: The Decameron and The Decameron Project, by Giovanni Boccaccio and Margaret Atwood
Theater of War Productions and Margaret Atwood return to the Toronto International Festival of Authors with an exciting new collaboration exploring power and control, domestic violence, and family dynamics by way of two versions of the same story, one written by Giovanni Boccaccio in 1348 during the bubonic plague and the other by Atwood in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Bocaccio’s version, a woman named Griselda remains in an abusive and controlling relationship, showing great patience and forbearance in the face of her husband’s sadism and cruelty. In Atwood’s version, Griselda takes matters in her own hands and, with the help of her sister, turns the tables on her husband.
This free, public event featured a live, dramatic reading of the “Patient Griselda” story from Boccaccio's Decameron by Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, Fleishman is in Trouble), Maev Beaty (Beau is Afraid, Mouthpiece), and Araya Mengesha (Tiny Pretty Things, Nobody). Then, in response, Margaret Atwood performed “Impatient Grisleda,” a story that is narrated to a group of humans in quarantine by an alien that looks like an octopus. The readings of both texts was followed by immediate responses by community panelists and culminated in a guided audience discussion, facilitated by Bryan Doerries (Artistic Director, Theater of War Productions).
Co-presented by Theater of War Productions and Toronto International Festival of Authors.
This hybrid presentation took place in person at the Toronto Harbourfront Centre Theatre and on Zoom Webinar on September 30, 2023.
-
Ethics & The Justice System
Ethics & The Justice System
Theater of Law
Dramatic Reading of Eumenides, by Aeschylus
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
A Collaboration with The Forum on Law, Culture, & Society at NYU School of Law
Developed with New York University’s Forum on Law, Culture, & Society, and designed as a professional development program for legal professionals, as well as for the general public, Theater of Law drives conversations about moral justice in the court system. The project is aimed at engaging audiences who have in some way been disenfranchised by the law in constructive, powerful dialogue.
-
Political Violence
Political Violence
Acts of Violence
Dramatic Reading of Thyestes, by Seneca
Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries
Acts of Violence presents scenes from Seneca's Thyestes, a Roman tragedy that was written during the gruesome reign of Nero, as a catalyst for town hall discussions about the impact of political violence upon individuals, families, caregivers, health and human rights advocates, communities, and nations.
-
Natural Disaster
Natural Disaster
Book of Job
Dramatic Reading of The Book of Job, by Translated by Stephen Mitchell
Directed and Adapted by Bryan Doerries
The Book of Job Project presents dramatic readings by acclaimed actors of The Book of Job as a catalyst for powerful, guided conversations about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon individuals, families, and communities. The Book of Job is an ancient Hebrew poem that timelessly explores how humans behave when faced with disaster, pestilence and injustice.
-
Natural Disaster
The Tohoku Project
Dramatic Reading of Sumidagawa, by Kanze Motomasa
Directed and Adapted by Bryan Doerries
Facilitated by Setsu Hanasaki
Translated by Nao Suzuki
Developed in collaboration with the Global Mental Health Program at Columbia University and Setagaya Public Theatre
The Tohoku Project: Sumidagawa presents powerful dramatic readings by professional actors of Sumidagawa, a Noh play from the early 15th Century that timelessly depicts the unique challenges faced by parents in the wake of unimaginable disaster. Each reading is followed by the responses of community panelists, culminating in a lively, facilitated audience discussion. This interactive event promotes healthy, constructive dialogue about the lasting impact of the Tohoku disaster upon individuals, families, and communities—fostering compassion, understanding, awareness, and positive action.
-
Genocide
Genocide
The Investigation
Dramatic Reading of The Investigation, by Peter Weiss
Theater of War Productions and the Museum of Jewish Heritage, in partnership with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, present readings of scenes Peter Weiss' play The Investigation, a piece of documentary theater adapted from the Frankfurt Auschwitz Trials of 1963-1965. This project centers on guided discussions about mass murder and its lasting impact upon individuals, families, communities, and countries throughout the world. Performed by a diverse cast, including international performers from communities affected by genocide, The Investigation seeks to generate powerful dialogue across cultures and communities about the human capacity for evil, as well as the systems and hierarchies that create the conditions for unthinkable violence.