Antigonick

Theater students performed Anne Carson’s ‘Antigonick.’

In November, students in the Department of Theater performed Anne Carson’s Antigonick, a translation of Greek playwright Sophocles’ 2,500-year-old Athenian tragedy Antigone, in Tansill Theater at Hillyer Hall. The production, in addition to being visually powerful, was unique, says Professor of Theater David Jaffe, as the rehearsal process and performance were designed as a full four-credit course under Jaffe’s direction. 

“The Department of Theater’s approach to our main stage productions is that they are all opportunities for faculty-student research,” Jaffe said. Visits from Professor Emeritus of Philosophy Larry Vogel and Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics Devon Harlow enriched the students’ learning process, while Associate Professor of Dance Rachel Boggia supplied choreography and movement expertise and Musician/Composer for Dance Richard Schenk provided vocal and musical guidance. Students studied four other translations, Greek tragedy form, the culture from which these plays grew, and the specific choices that Carson made in her version. 

Three Classics and theater double majors held key roles in the production. Caleb Butler ’26, a CISLA scholar from Baltimore, Maryland, served as assistant director and dramaturg. Butler was awarded a ConnSSharp funded research assistantship for the summer of 2025, during which he and Jaffe developed their approach to the script and prepared the course’s research materials. “From my very first days working with Professor Jaffe over the summer, I was given the opportunity to participate in a truly collaborative process, with every single member of the company being integral to the success of this production. Antigonick allowed me to apply my majors in a new capacity and learn from performers, designers and crew alike,” Butler said. 

Ainsley Cornwall ’26, from San Mateo, California, served as assistant costume designer, working with Associate Professor of Theater Sabrina Notarfrancisco as an equal partner in the envisioning and building of the production’s costumes. “This inviting and collaborative workspace allowed me to explore intricacies within the costuming world,” Cornwall said. “Professor Notarfrancisco offered me room to add references and details to the classical studies world while staying true to the nature of this production.”

Jay Sexton ’27, from Westfield, New Jersey, was given the rare opportunity to serve as the show’s lighting designer, with mentorship from Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater Samuel Biondolillo, and said it was a joy to be part of the production. “Everyone in this company is an incredible artist,” Sexton said. “Between the directorial, design and production teams, and the actors and technicians, I really believe every member of the company made a significant contribution to the show. Of course, I’m really proud of how the lighting turned out; the creative and technical work that went into creating it was challenging, but the results were worth the effort.”