‘Antigone’: A Modern Spin on Timeless Struggles
After performances of Theatre Arts' production of 'Antigone,' audiences were torn on whether to laugh at the play’s hilarious banter or cry because of its tragic elements of death and sorrow.
Posted on October 10, 2019 by College Communications in Alumni Stories, Featured, News.
After performances of Theatre Arts' production of Antigone, the audience was torn on whether to laugh at the play’s hilarious banter or cry because of its tragic elements of death and sorrow.
“That’s just the way the play is,” says director Kimberly LaCroix ’08. “You might weep the entire way home, but it’s also going to be way funnier than you think.”
Antigone was written by Sophocles in 500 B.C. and follows the story of Oedipus Rex’s daughter, Antigone, in her pursuit to honor her brother’s death by giving him a proper burial. Choosing to do so amidst turmoil puts both her life and her uncle’s kingdom at risk.
From its original ancient Greek setting, to a 1944 version written in French during the Nazi occupation of Paris, to its English translation in 2002, Antigone’s script has undergone countless changes—but the struggles it addresses are equally relevant today.
“It’s clear that this story is asking questions that we’ve been asking since before Jesus walked the earth, and we’re still asking them thousands of years later,” says LaCroix, referring to the themes of morality, mortality and conflict.
“There’s a reason why a story endures for so long,” says Professor of Theatre Arts Norm Jones, who plays the role of King Creon. “The universal challenges, experiences and choices that the characters are faced with—from 500 B.C. to 1944 up until now—they’re all the same.”
Between costumes, set design and the modern script, the production was far different from what audiences might have expected of an ancient story. The set featured lasting elements such as marble, stone, moss and wood, and among the costumes you’ll see combination of Grecian sandals and Adidas sneakers. At one point, Creon comments on “fast cars and night clubs.”
“We wanted to make aspects of the show modern, but also play homage to where the story is coming from,” says LaCroix.
The show consisted of eight students, and the play’s production staff comprised of several alumni including Lauren Snyder ’19 (set designer), Edward Lindem ’19 (lighting designer), Jessica Richmond ’16 (technical director/production manager) and Molly Sidell ’17 (scenic painter). The cast and crew were made up almost entirely of women, which LaCroix says is crucial. “We’re doing students a disservice if they’re not seeing women in leadership,” she says.
LaCroix was the first alumna to direct a mainstage production in close to two decades. “It feels like such an opportunity, and I’m honored to be directing the show,” she said. “So many alums and students put in hours to make everything look like it does, and I believe that what we’re doing is relevant to this community.”
The Theatre Arts Department’s next production is Babette’s Feast, directed by Jeff Miller, running November 1–9.
By Ellian Chalfant ’22, communication arts and Spanish
Share
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X (Formerly Twitter)
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Email
-
Copy Link
-
Share Link
Categories
Tags
Categories
Archives
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014