Dordt Theatre Arts presents a modern retelling of Antigone

An unforgettable modern retelling of Antigone, one of the oldest plays in existence, is coming soon to Te Paske Theatre thanks to Dordt Theatre Arts.

Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 16; Saturday, October 18 and October 23–25. There’s also a 2 p.m. show October 18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/dordttheatre/antigone

In this adaptation, Antigone’s two brothers have just murdered each other in a brutal civil war. Her victorious brother is posthumously exalted; her treasonous brother is declared a terrorist. And new king Creon orders that his body be left to rot, making a law forbidding his burial.

But Antigone refuses to obey and a series of events unfold.

Written by Sophocles in 441 B.C., Antigone stands as one of the foundational works of Western drama—still powerful, still urgent, and shockingly relevant today, according to Dordt assistant theatre arts professor and play director Jason Vande Brake.

"There hasn’t been a time in the last 2,500 years where Antigone hasn’t been relevant because it’s just so universal,” Vande Brake says. “Its themes are endlessly able to be interpreted, reinterpreted and analyzed.”

Vande Brake describes this play as being mainly about two people, Antigone and her uncle, King Creon, who have incredibly deep convictions.

“And those convictions are diametrically opposed,” he says. “This play is about political conflict, about how we relate to one another, about the necessity of the government to take action and also about personal convictions and personal liberty, so it’s really timely.

For some people, Vande Brake says, the idea of the production being a tragedy can be a little concerning.

“They may question whether they want to spend their time around sad, depressing stuff, but doing shows like this is important because we need to be able to talk about hard things and one of the ways we do that is through art and theatre,” he says. “This version is also surprisingly fun, energetic, witty, and exciting. It’s not just a tragedy, it’s a very engaging play.”

Dordt’s 13-member cast is presenting a new adaptation of the play with current, easily understandable references.

“The emotional and dramatic climax of the play is pretty jaw dropping,” Vande Brake says. “I'm so excited to have people come and see it. It’s beautiful.”

The production is recommended for students in middle school and up.

This is the second time in university’s history students have brought this production to life; the last time was within the first decade of Dordt’s existence in the 1960s. Yet, this is Vande Brake’s first time directing a Dordt production since coming to the university last fall.

“It’s incredibly exciting, a dream come true. It’s an incredible honor,” Vande Brake says.

Dordt productions were the formative theatre that led Vande Brake to majoring in Theatre at Dordt event.

“I can still remember the time I went to the production of Peer Gynt when I was in high school and it knocked my socks off,” Vande Brake says. “I knew this was for me, that theatre was incredible. I love it.”

Vande Brake then came to Dordt and participated in almost every production before graduating.

“Being able to direct a show and work with students now—I can’t tell you how incredibly rewarding and satisfying that is,” he says. “It’s such a blessing.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.