Sophocles's Antigone, one of the greatest plays of the Western canon, dramatically explores society’s needs for tolerance and freedom of thought and action. The play poses the universal questions, What are the differences between the law, ethics and morality? And when opposing voices are silenced, does democracy fail?  

At this event, two internationally acclaimed artists from the National Theatre of Cyprus, actress Elena Papadopoulos and director/actor Nicos Charalambous, will present a series of scenes from Antigone, merging live and filmed performances. Performing in Greek with English surtitles, they will illuminate the passion and drama that has endured for 2,500 years. Provost Nikias, an expert in the Greek humanities, will introduce the event. He will address the play’s relevance for the audience that first heard it in 442 B.C. as well as its importance to audiences today. Following the performance, Madeline Puzo, dean of the USC School of Theatre, will moderate a discussion featuring Provost Nikias, USC classics professor Thomas Habinek and the artists. 

Elena Papadopoulos has been a member of the National Theatre of Cyprus for over 20 years. During that time she has been in more than 100 productions by playwrights ranging from the ancient Greeks to Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams. She appears regularly on many television series and has hosted her own radio show on the arts and culture of Greece. 

Nicos Charalambous has had an international career as an actor, director and educator. He studied theatre and dramatic art at the legendary drama school of Karolos Koun in Athens. As an actor, some of his most important roles have been Hamlet, Mercutio, Orpheus, Vladimir from Waiting for Godot and Iago. He has directed more than 150 plays, from ancient Greek tragedies to the comedies of Shakespeare to works by Tom Stoppard and Arthur Miller. He has been the artistic director of the National Theatre of Kalamata, chief director of the National Theatre of Cyprus and artistic adviser of Praxis Theatre at Limassol. For 25 years, he has been a stage director at the Epidaurus and Herodion festivals.

Organized by the USC School of Theatre.

For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.edu