Greek tragedy to be presented by VGCC Drama students
Vance-Granville Community College drama students will present a production of the classic Greek tragedy, “Antigone,” December 1-4. The play was written around 442 BC by the ancient playwright Sophocles. The title character is a young woman who defies her uncle, the king, for the sake of her dead brother and what she believes to be right. In this version, translated into accessible, contemporary English, the setting is changed from the ancient kingdom of Thebes to the modern Middle East.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2 and 3, and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 4. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2 on the college’s main campus in Henderson.
The cast includes VGCC students Christina (CJ) Pearce of Henderson as Antigone; Cody Trivette of Oxford as the heroine’s uncle, King Creon; Helen Claiborne of Oxford as Antigone’s sister, Ismene; Nick Henderson of Oxford as Antigone’s fiance, Haemon; Jennie Robinson of Henderson as Eurydice, Creon’s wife; Kristy Hope of Henderson as the Nurse; Skott Daeke of Henderson as the Page; Jessica Edwards of Henderson as the Messenger; Grey Winn of Youngsville, Jerome Bulluck of Henderson and Brett Bowling of Creedmoor as the Guards; and Joy Chalmers of Oxford, Cameron Kester of Bullock and Tia Ragland of Henderson as the Chorus.
VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor Betsy Henderson directs the play. “This story and the character of Antigone are still very present in our modern society,” Henderson said. “Taking the play and placing it in the modern Muslim Middle East adds some conflict and makes us realize that there are women living her story even today.”
Admission is $10 for the general public, and $5 for students, VGCC faculty and staff, and seniors. Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, call Betsy Henderson at (252) 738-3371.
Above: VGCC students rehearse for the play, “Antigone.” From left, guards (Brett Bowling and Jerome Bulluck) stand by while the imprisoned Antigone (Christina Pearce) is questioned by Creon (Cody Trivette), the king who is also her uncle. (VGCC photo)
