Open to Public
Theater of War: Philoctetes, DAV
Free Event
Please RSVP through the link provided. The event Zoom link will be distributed via email, and available to registered attendees starting 2 days prior to the event.
Wed, Nov 09.2022
Virtual Event
Theater of War is an innovative project that presents acclaimed actors and Veterans performing scenes from Sophocles’ Philoctetes—an ancient play about a young man who is sent to betray a decorated warrior who has been abandoned on a desolate island—as a catalyst for facilitated town hall discussions about healing the visible and invisible wounds of war. Using Sophocles’ play to forge a common vocabulary for open dialogue, these events are aimed at generating compassion, understanding, awareness, and connection. Each performance is followed by community panelist remarks and a guided audience discussion.
Co-presented by Theater of War Productions and DAV (Disabled American Veterans).
Sophocles’ Philoctetes tells the story of a young man who is sent to betray a decorated warrior who has been abandoned on a desolate island by his own men because of a mysterious chronic illness. The Greeks learn from an oracle that in order to win the Trojan War they must rescue the warrior from the island and bring him to Troy. The young man is sent to the island and ordered to deceive the warrior, win his trust, and trick him into returning with him to Troy. But in the process of carrying out his orders, the young man discovers the true meaning of loyalty and risks everything to help his new friend. At its core, Sophocles’ Philoctetes is about how the wounded often become the most powerful healers.
Featuring performances by David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck), Kathryn Erbe (Law & Order: Criminal Intent), David Zayas (Dexter), Latoya Lucas (Iraq War Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient), Anthony Swofford (Gulf War Veteran, Author of Jarhead), and Kevin Miller (Iraq War Veteran, DAV Team Member)
Support for our digital programming is provided, in part, by the Mellon Foundation.
Theater of War: Philoctetes will take place on Zoom Webinar and can be accessed on personal devices. The event Zoom link will be distributed via email and available to registered attendees starting 2 days prior to the event.
This event will be captioned in English.
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. During the discussion, 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
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Philoctetes by Sophocles
Sophocles’ Philoctetes tells the story of decorated warrior who is abandoned on a deserted island because of mysterious chronic illness that he contracts on the way to the Trojan War. Nine years later, the Greeks learn from an oracle that in order to win the war they must rescue him from the island. When they finally come for him, the wounded warrior must overcome nine long years of festering resentment and shame in order to accept help from the very men who betrayed him.
Cast Members
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David Strathairn
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Kathryn Erbe
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David Zayas
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Latoya Lucas
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Kevin Miller
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Anthony Swofford
Event Partner
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