Euripides’ The Trojan Women. Fall 2015.

Set on the coast of what is now Turkey, Euripides’ Trojan Women is a scathing critique of the impact of war on women and children. In order to learn more about the history of the play, we hosted our very own Latin teacher who put Euripides’ work in the context of its time, specifically noting that the play was Euripides’ attempt to bring light to the war crimes Athens had just committed, which ultimately resulted in his excommunication from Greek society. Our production was a call to action about the Syrian refugee crisis which had reached a horrific peak in the months before we started rehearsals. We hosted Dr. Eleanora Mattiaci, an Amherst College political science professor, who spoke about the connection between climate change, civil war, and the refugee crisis. Students researched topics relevant to the play and its connection to our time which were published in the program and were the jumping off points for nightly post-show talkbacks. Students ran a fundraiser to support relief efforts for Syrian refugees.

Set and Lighting Design by Charles P. Raffetto. Costume Design by Ashley Tyler. Photo Credit: Joanna Chattman.