The relevance of a #BLM play
The #BlackLivesMatter movement has broken across the country following a number of brutal deaths of African Americans at the hands of police. It has captured the heart and lives of many Americans who are expressing a want for change.
Back in 2014 a young African American student, Michael Brown Jr. from Ferguson was shot and killed by the police and his body was left in the middle of the street causing outrage from many of the community. Protests followed across the city demanding change.
The events in Ferguson Missouri, resonated with a number of theater companies resulting in a collaboration of minds. Theater of War Productions worked with a number of artists that adapted the Greek classic, Antigone.
Antigone is the Greek myth about Antigone who is trying to organize a burial for her brother, Polynices. But there is a law prohibiting the burial and Antigone breaks the law to honor her brother, which results in her being punished, with catastrophic results.
Antigone in Ferguson by Theater of War incorporates a play reading of Antigone, with contemporary gospel choir singing and community members discussing the events around the death of Michael Brown Jr.
The success of Antigone in Ferguson has lead to the production touring around the country with performances most recently in New York City. With the closure of all performing arts spaces during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has halted performances around the country.
PBS and All Art have recently released Antigone in Ferguson on their streaming service.
Antigone in Ferguson explores the ideas of tragedy, trauma, social justice and the healing of a community that has been fractured. By incorporating the ancient Greek tragedy into the modern context it highlights that no matter the period of time there is a problem in society that needs to be addressed in regards to social justice and that tragedy affects multiple facets of the community.
There is no better time like the present to watch this performance, Antigone in Ferguson, and see something that is still relevant and will raise a lot of questions around #BlackLivesMatter and social reform.
Follow Matt D’Silva on Twitter @MattDSilva