Invitation Only
Lecture: "Tragedies for the Pandemic” —Bryan Doerries, Artistic Director, Theater of War Productions
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Thu, Sep 24.2020
Virtual Event

At the beginning of the pandemic, Theater of War Productions, a social impact company that had spent years performing ancient plays in unlikely places—hospitals, military bases, homeless shelters, and prisons—pivoted to Zoom. Their first online outing, The Oedipus Project, gathered more than 15,000 people from over 40 countries for a virtual performance of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, featuring Oscar Isaac, Frances McDormand, John Turturro, Jeffrey Wright and others, culminating in a facilitated, global discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on individuals, families, and communities. In the weeks and months that have followed, Theater of War Productions has presented more than a dozen performances on Zoom—projects based on Shakespeare’s King Lear, the Biblical Book of Job, and Sophocles’ Antigone and Women of Trachis—for an ever-expanding international audience. Now, Theater of War Productions turns its attention to Kenyon College, where it will launch a year-long virtual residency this fall.
In his lecture, “Tragedies for the Pandemic,” Theater of War Productions’ Artistic Director and Kenyon alumnus Bryan Doerries (’98) will describe how he and his company have used ancient tragedies to empower thousands of people all over the world to engage in vital, democratic, pluralistic discussions about some of the most challenging issues of our time, including racialized violence, healthcare inequality, and the moral suffering of frontline medical providers.
Explore Projects
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HomelessnessThe Oedipus at Colonus Project
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.
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Racism & Social JusticeMothers 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.
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Caregiving & DeathTheater of War Frontline
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.