For nearly 2,500 years, performances of the classic Greek tragedy “Antigone” have helped raise a mirror to the tensions of the time. This fall in Fisher Theater, audiences will connect across the ages through a timeless story that raises powerful questions about the individual and the state, and of conscience and conviction.
ISU Theatre’s “Antigone,” an enduring masterpiece by Sophocles, is a searing exploration of moral courage, power, and the consequences of standing alone. Guest directed by College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Dean’s Artist in Residence Egla Hassan, the show opens Thursday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. and runs through one weekend only.
“People can look forward to being an audience member for a show that has been alive for thousands of years and will be alive for thousands of years more,” said Scout Kuehn (’27 theatre, environmental science). “While it is a translation, the heart of the story remains true for modern audiences as it does for ancient Greek audiences.”
‘She isn’t a pushover’
Kuehn plays the lead role of Antigone, a young woman who is defiant in her convictions and chooses conscience over compliance and love over law.
When Antigone’s dead brother is decreed a traitor, his body is left unburied beyond the city walls. Antigone refuses to accept this most severe of punishments. Defying her uncle who governs, she dares to say “No” and forges ahead with a funeral alone. In doing so, she places personal allegiance before politics, a tenacious act that will trigger a cycle of destruction.
Kuehn said the most exciting element of playing Antigone is her strength.
“I have always played a mix of roles here at Iowa State, but unlike other roles where I held little to no strength or autonomy over my character’s choices, Antigone allows me to stand firm on her decisions and her morals,” she said. “She isn’t a pushover, and it has been wonderful being able to act that way at Iowa State.”
Greek tragedy mixed with modern wit
For Grant Wilson (’28 music, theatre), “Antigone” is his first classic play. He takes on the role of Kreon, the king of Thebes and Antigone’s uncle. He said audiences can expect to see the drama and history of a Greek tragedy combined with modern dialogue and wit, and themes that bring to mind contemporary social and political issues today.
“For someone who has been a comedic actor since they were 12, switching to a role as serious as Kreon can be quite an undertaking,” Wilson said. “Something that helped was the guidance of our amazing guest director Egla Hassan. She has been a great resource when it comes to questions about acting in a Greek play as well as the history of the play itself.”
Guest director Egla Hassan is a nationally recognized director, writer, and educator in theatre and performing arts, who served 32 years at Western Illinois University. Hassan was also the inaugural LAS Dean’s Artist in Residence in 2018.
“Working with this cast and crew has been a joy, because of their willingness to commit to the serious themes in the play ‘Antigone,’” Hassan said. “I am excited to share our work with the ISU audiences.”
A must-see ending
Jett Tyler (’29 theatre, minor in culinary food science) is portraying Haemon, the son of Kreon and fiancé of Antigone. He said the role is helping him becoming a better actor, and he is excited to see how audiences react to the show’s ending and to the Greek chorus.
“I have been constantly thinking about how I can say my lines, what my lines mean, and the emotion they convey,” Tyler said. “I have been working on collaborating with my scene partner [Wilson] and our relationship on stage. I can’t wait for people to see the dynamic my character brings to the stage and his impact on the plot.”
“This story has such a tragic theme about family and pride that is super well put together and that all the actors on stage convey wonderfully,” he added. “I really hope everyone comes to see the show!”
Showtimes and ticket information
Showtimes are Oct. 8, Oct. 9, and Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 11 at 2:00 p.m. All performances will take place at Fisher Theater.
All tickets are general admission ($20 for adults; youth and Iowa State students free). Tickets can be purchased at the door, through the Iowa State Center Ticket Office (open Monday-Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), or any Ticketmaster. Free youth and student tickets can be obtained at the door or in advance (recommended) through the Iowa State Center Ticket Office. For more information, visit theatre.iastate.edu.
