Open to Public
The Dionysus Project: Nantucket
Free Event
Theater of War Productions works with acclaimed actors to present dramatic readings of seminal texts as a framework for engaging diverse communities in powerful discussions about pressing issues of public health and social justice. The company is thrilled be returning to Nantucket with two projects aimed at generating crucial dialogue about the impact of substance abuse, addiction, and the opioid epidemic on individuals, families, and communities.
The Dionysus Project presents dramatic readings of scenes from Euripides' Bacchae, an ancient Greek play about the destructive power of intoxication, as a catalyst for guided audience discussions about the impact of substance abuse and addiction upon individuals, families, and communities.
First produced in 405 BC, Euripides' Bacchae tells the ancient story of the arrival of Dionysus, the god of wine and intoxication, in Greece. When Dionysus comes to the city of Thebes, he liberates the people from their homes, sending the citizens - dancing and drinking - into the hills. A young king, named Pentheus, tries to subdue the revelry and restore order to his city, waging an all-out war against the god. But when Pentheus first tastes the drug that has ravaged his city, he too succumbs to its power and is murdered by his own mother, in a deranged state of intoxication.
Featuring performances by Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment, Rachel Getting Married), Moses Ingram (The Queen's Gambit, Obi-Wan Kenobi), Arliss Howard (Full Metal Jacket, Mank), Chris Henry Coffey (Trust, Chicago Fire), Babe Howard (Lapsis, With/In)
Adapted, directed, and facilitated by Bryan Doerries.
Co-presented by Theater of War Productions and Dreamland Film, Theatre & Cultural Center. This program is made possible by a grant provided by the Town of Nantucket.
This free, public, live hybrid event will take place on Zoom Webinar, broadcast from Nantucket. These events will be captioned in English on Zoom. If you choose to join us online, this event can be accessed on personal devices. The event Zoom link will be distributed via email and available to registered attendees starting two days prior to the event.
To register to attend in-person please visit: http://www.nantucketdreamland.org
All of Theater of War Productions' events follow the same format:
- The performers will read the text.
- Community panelists will kick off the discussion with their gut responses to what resonated with them across time.
- We will open the discussion to the audience, facilitated by Bryan Doerries. To participate in the discussion online, please raise your hand using the button at the bottom center of the screen. If called upon, please accept the invitation to be promoted to speak and you will be visible and heard by the entire audience for the duration of your comments. If you would prefer not to be seen, please disable your video.
About the play
-
The Bacchae by Euripides
First produced in 405 BC, Euripides' Bacchae tells the ancient story of the arrival of Dionysus, the god of wine and intoxication, in Greece. When Dionysus comes to the city of Thebes, he liberates the people from their homes, sending the citizens - dancing and drinking - into the hills. A young king, named Pentheus, tries to subdue the revelry and restore order to his city, waging an all-out war against the god. But when Pentheus first tastes the drug that has ravaged his city, he too succumbs to its power and is murdered by his own mother, in a deranged state of intoxication.
Cast Members
-
Moses Ingram
Dionysus
-
Debra Winger
Agaue/Tiresias
-
Arliss Howard
Cadmus
-
Chris Henry Coffey
Pentheus
-
Babe Howard
Messenger
Explore Projects
-
Political ViolenceActs of ViolenceActs 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.
-
Ethics & The Justice SystemTheater of LawDeveloped 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.
-
Caregiving & DeathTheater of War FrontlineTheater 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.