Ensemble Theatre presents ANTIGONE (BORN AGAINST.) at Know Theatre

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is moving beyond the walls of its intimate theatre to stage a special presentation of the Greek tragedy Antigone for three performances only on May 17, 18, and 19 at 8:00 pm. Translated and adapted by 2016-2017 ETC Acting Apprentice Griff Bludworth, and directed by Ben Raanan, ANTIGONE (born against.) is a modern retelling of the defiant heroine. Due to the renovations of ETC's stage now underway, performances of this contemporized Greek story will be held at Know Theatre of Cincinnati and will feature ETC's 2016-2017 Professional Acting Apprentice Company.

Born into a world that doesn't love her, Antigone is destined for a painful fate. ANTIGONE (born against.) blurs the line between the ancient and the modern as it gives voice to the perpetual struggle between political necessity and morality. Classical figures become recognizable in this clash of justice against racial discrimination that is both timeless and horrifically timely. "This translation addresses the theme of racial discrimination, an issue that persists in the forefront of our nation's consciousness and which many people continue to be worried about, are thinking about, and are scared about," explains Griff Bludworth, playwright and cast member of ANTIGONE (born against.). "It's about asking the questions 'What are we doing, how did we get here, and what would it take to finally realize what we've wrought'. I felt Antigone's story was a great opportunity to introduce Greek drama to younger audiences who may have previously thought of the classics as not relatable or irrelevant to modern society."

About the Cast

Griff Bludworth (Creon/Translator/Adaptor) was recently seen onstage at ETC in Cinderella: After Ever After and was an understudy for The Legend of Georgia McBride. His Xavier University credits include Rent, This is Our Youth, Miss Julie, and The Last Five Years. At Xavier, he also received his BA in Classical Studies, culminating in his senior thesis entitled "Seneca and the Tragedy of 'Tragedy': an Explication of Seneca's Revised Philosophy of the Tragic."

Samantha Russell (Antigone) is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Sociology, along with an Associate's Degree in Business Administration. While at ETC, she performed in the world premiere of Cinderella: After Ever After and understudied four main stage productions. Favorite credits include Coretta Scott King and the Fight for Freedom, Children's Theatre of Cincinnati; The Color Purple, Cincinnati Black Theatre Company; and Other Bother, Performance Gallery.

Brianna Bernard (Corinne) understudied several shows at ETC this season, including Bloomsday. Her regional credits include Lonely Planet and The Gulf, QCQTC; Finding the Falcon (Serials! 5) Know Theatre of Cincinnati; The Winter's Tale, Bare Bodkins Theatre; Children of Eden and A Funny Thing...Forum, Black Hills Playhouse; Kilowatt Kitchen and Space Station Conservation, National Theatre for Children; A Midsummer Night's Dream and Jack and the Beanstalk, PFCT. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of South Dakota.

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Kyle Parker Daniels (Haemon) understudied at ETC in the productions of The Legend of Georgia McBride, When We Were Young and Unafraid, and Bloomsday. His credits include the world premiere of Begotten and Taming of the Shrew, Xavier University, The Complete Tom 2: Huckleberry, Queen City Flash, and #Selfie: The Play, an experimental project at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Next year, Mr. Daniels will be participating in a year-long directing and acting internship at New Stage Theatre in Jackson, MS.

Maya Farhat (Ismene) is a proud graduate of Xavier University where she studied Theatre and Communications. Her most recent credits include First Date and Cinderella: After Ever After, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Her film and television credits include Hayley Tillman in Mariah Carey's A Christmas Melody and some commercial work for Hulu. Her favorite credits include Betrayal, Spring Awakening, and The Last Five Years, Xavier University; Afghan Women's Writing Project, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; The Crucible, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Xavier University co-production.

Victoria Hawley (Angela) graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a BFA in Acting and completed a six-month contract with Walt Disney WorLD Entertainment. Before her time at ETC, Ms. Hawley performed and directed with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati's Serials! 4. She understudied three main stage productions at ETC, including When We Were Young and Unafraid and Bloomsday.

Kat McCaulla (Tiresias) was recently seen at ETC in When We Were Young and Unafraid and understudied roles in First Date, Cinderella: After Ever After, and The Legend of Georgia McBride. Some of her favorite credits include Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, The Diviners, It's a Wonderful Life, and Cucumbers. She holds a BFA in Acting, with a Screenwriting minor and Certificate in Film and TV Writing from Missouri State University.

Clay Winstead (Captain Phillips) graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a BFA in Acting. Some of his favorite roles include The Bacchae and The Divine Visitor. As an Acting Apprentice, he understudied four main stage productions including Bloomsday and The Legend of Georgia McBride. Later this year, he will be moving to New York City to further pursue his career as an actor and director.

Performance Information

Performances are May 17, 18, and 19 at 8:00 pm at Know Theatre Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson Street.

Ticket Information

Tickets for all performances are $20 and are available to purchase through the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati box office at (513) 421-3555 or at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

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