Open to Public
Theater of War: University of Mississippi
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.
Thu, Nov 11.2021
Virtual Event
Theater of war is an innovative public health project that presents readings of scenes from Sophocles’ Philoctetes—an ancient Greek play about a decorated warrior who is abandoned on a deserted island because of mysterious chronic illness that he contracts on the way to the Trojan War—as a catalyst for guided discussions about the challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families. Using Sophocles’ play to forge a common vocabulary for openly discussing the visible and invisible wounds of war, these events are aimed at generating compassion and understanding between diverse audiences.
This event is presented by the University of Mississippi and is open to the public. Co-hosted by the University of Mississippi Department of Classics and the Office of Veteran and Military Service, with generous support from a Visit Oxford Partnership grant, and from the UM Office of the Provost, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Research and Supported Programs, the Division of Community Engagement, the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, the University Lecture Series, the Lott Leadership Institute, the College of Liberal Arts, and the following units of the College: the Departments of Theatre and Film, Public Policy Leadership, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology, English, and History, and the Center for the Study of Southern Culture.
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 Denman
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Marjolaine Goldsmith
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David Patrick Kelly
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Nyasha Hatendi
Event Partner
Explore Projects
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Racism & Social JusticeAntigone in SavannahDramatic readings of Sophocles’ Antigone with live music to frame powerful dialogue about honoring the dead and healing historical wounds.
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Racialized Police ViolenceAntigone in FergusonAntigone 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.
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War & Mental HealthTheater of WarRooted 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.