Sophocles' Antigone speaks Truth to Power at Oddfellows

                                                     Rehearsal photo by Adam Welsh

The Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company presents Sophocles’ classic and timely drama Antigone November 29 – December 1 and December 7 & 8 in Middletown.

Directed by ARTFARM Artistic Director Marcella Trowbridge, this version of Antigone is based on adaptations by 20^th century theater icons Bertolt Brecht and Judith Malina. The journey of teenage Antigone going against her leader’s dictate and burying her brother evokes contemporary colors of questionable decision-making in our leadership, a connection to the strength of women holding men accountable for their actions and for what is right, and there is a strong resonance with the heartbroken and courageous students of Florida’s Parkland High School who have been standing up and speaking Truth to Power.

“The largest voice in Antigone”, says director Trowbridge, “is that of the many-faced Chorus. The Greek chorus represents both the witness and the psyche, the people in a community- and the differentiated parts within our Selves. When faced with injustice, do we speak up? Do we remain silent? What choices do we make, and what matters?”

The Teen Repertory Company is Oddfellows’ senior performing company, comprised of young people ages 14 – 20 who work with professional directors and designers to present challenging and provocative theater to the community. Antigone features scenic design by Tony Palmieri, lighting design by Nora Matthews, costume design by Christian Milik, properties design by Pam Lang and sound and music design performed live by Jordan Dykstra.

All performances are at 7:30 pm at Oddfellows Playhouse, 128 Washington Street in Middletown. Thursday, November 29 is a “Pay-What-You-Can” Preview. Friday and Saturday evening performances on November 30, December 1, 7 & 8 are $15 for adults and $8 for students. Reservations are recommended.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.oddfellows.org or call (860) 347-6143. 

This Oddfellows Playhouse Teen Repertory Company production is supported by the Connecticut Office of the Arts; Middletown Commission on the Arts; Middletown Youth Services Bureau; The Stare Fund; State of Connecticut Judicial Branch; Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation; Liberty Bank Foundation; Community Development Block Grant Program; and many generous individual donors. 

Oddfellows Playhouse is a non-profit youth theater, founded in 1975, which promotes the growth of young people – in skills, knowledge and self-confidence – through the performing arts. Oddfellows was named “Best Children’s Theater” by Connecticut Magazine 2015 – 2017.