Classical Theater Comes to Harvard Stadium with 'Antigone' on April 29
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History repeats itself as Sophocles' "Antigone" rekindles the tradition of theatrical performances of classical theater in Harvard Stadium. "Antigone" holds particular weight in the contemporary moment in its depiction of a strong female protagonist who defends her rights against public authority.
The public art event, which is free and open to the public, takes place at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29. It is the closing event for ARTS FIRST, Harvard's annual four-day celebration of the arts. (For more information about the festival April 26-29,
One of the greatest dramatic texts of world literature, Antigone" s="" story="" is="" the="" story="" of="" disobedience="" -="" the="" "one"="" standing="" against="" the="" "many."="" Written="" over="" two="" millennia="" ago,="" Sophocles'="" tragedy="" enacts="" the="" epic="" collision="" of="" individual="" conscience="" and="" public="" authority="" that="" continues="" to="" shape="" the="" cultural="" and="" political="" landscape="" of="" our="" world="" today.="" At="" risk="" of="" death,="" Antigone="" seeks="" justice="" for="" her="" deceased="" brother,="" left="" unburied="" by="" her="" uncle="" Creon,="" the="" King="" of="" Thebes.="" She="" disobeys="" the="" will="" of="" the="" people,="" the="" law="" of="" the="" land,="" and="" the="" decree="" of="" the="" king="" to="" stand="" up="" for="" what="" is="" right. The show is a model of humanities studies at the College: it engages in historical, textual, performative, religious, aesthetic, and visual elements of the original work - and resonates with contemporary political and social issues. "Antigone" is seminal work of feminist literature, depicting the power of female agency, a theme that holds particular weight in the face of the #metoo and Time's Up movements.
""Antigone" is, of course, always 'relevant,' and will be as long as individuals are organized into social structures - but it's certainly tempting to say that the conflict it stages, between the agency of the individual and the force of law, seems particularly relevant to the current moment," says junior Chloe Brooks, who is playing the role of Antigone. "In some ways the play is deceptive, in that it suggests that the conflict between the individual and the state is a fair fight; Antigone does, after all, succeed in changing Creon's mind and overcoming what she perceives to be injustice, even if it costs her her life. It would be extremely difficult for one individual to have such an enormous impact in the modern world, but in her strong sense of her own conscience and capacity for judgement, I think Antigone represents what every individual has to do for any type of change to possible: which is to think for themselves."
"Antigone" emerges from the collective effort of over sixty Harvard students under the direction of junior Mitchell Polonsky, who sees the production as an opportunity to revisit the social and political function of art in ancient Greece.
"Theater hasn't been performed in the stadium since 1983, and before that 1916. The arts were once the backbone of our national culture, and the culture of ancient Greece. As we see public support for the arts disappear, we foster an arts culture that is cut off from the forces of popular culture and civic engagement - it's more important than ever to return to the roots of performance as a social and political gathering space for all," says Polonsky.
A team of undergraduates meticulously constructed a new translation that combines Sophocles' highly expressive poetic language with dramatic import and contemporary sensibilities.
"We spent hundreds of hours crafting a modern rendition of this classic story. The translation by the Harvard Classics Club makes Sophocles' text accessible to audiences of all ages and launches "Antigone" into the heart of contemporary discourse. We hope audiences will see Greek tragedy as relevant to their daily lives and respond to the timeless themes of the work," said lead translator and producer, sophomore Ben Roy.
This public art performance event features thirty-six large-scale inflatable sculptures of Chicago-based visual artist Claire Ashley, who had a solo exhibition last fall at Boston University's 808 Gallery. A full Greek chorus and orchestra, performing an original score by composer and junior Mateo Lincoln, will accompany the action against the Romanesque backdrop of the stadium. Spanning the world of theater, music, dance, and visual art, "Antigone" will feature a combination of student, faculty, and professional performers.
Learn more about the production on Facebook AntigoneintheStadium or follow this link.
