Promethea in Prison is an innovative public health project that stages readings of Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound, an ancient Greek play about a god who is imprisoned for stealing fire from Zeus and giving it to humans. The dramatic reading is used as a catalyst for powerful discussions about the challenges faced by individuals, families, and communities whose lives have been touched by the criminal justice system. For the past decade, this groundbreaking project has been performed to encourage dialogue in a variety of settings throughout the country and the world.
Promethea in Prison will take place on Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre stage on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. Tickets are available at the official source to purchase Wharton Center tickets online, whartoncenter.com; at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office; or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.
The cast for Promethea in Prison will include:
Sonja Sohn - Promethea
Deirdre Lovejoy - Hephaestus and Oceanus
Linda Powell - Kratos and Hermes
Marjolaine Goldsmith - Chorus of Oceanids
Dominic Dupont - Facilitator and Community Liaison
As punishment for giving fire to mankind, Zeus sentences Promethea to be chained to a rock at the end of the world for eternity. She remains steadfast in the righteousness of her cause throughout her punishment. This unique, participatory twist on the ancient myth highlights interplay between confrontation and compassion.
Since its founding in 2009, Theater of War Productions has facilitated events for over 100,000 people, presenting 22 different tailored programs targeted to diverse communities across the globe. The company works with leading film, theater, and television actors to present dramatic readings of seminal plays - from classical Greek tragedies to modern and contemporary works. The readings are followed by town hall-style discussions designed to confront social issues by drawing out raw and personal reactions to themes highlighted in the plays and underscoring how they resonate with contemporary audiences. The guided discussions break down stigmas and invite audience members to share their perspectives and experiences, helping to foster empathy, compassion, and an understanding of deeply complex issues.
The reading will be followed by a town hall style discussion facilitated by Bryan Doerries and Dominic Dupont.
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