DePauw Theatre to stage ‘AJAX: The Wounds of War’

Monday, May 3, 2021
DePauw Theatre will present “AJAX: The Wounds of War” from Thursday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. with a livestream via the DePauw School of Music YouTube page on Sunday at 3 p.m.
Courtesy DePauw University

DePauw Theatre closes its 2020-21 season with “AJAX: The Wounds of War” by Sophocles and directed by Caroline Good.

“The Wounds of War” tells the story of Ajax a once-great warrior stripped of his honor and driven to his untimely death by those scars.

Director Good has breathed new life into the classic drama by envisioning it within the context of our current society. “In ‘AJAX: The Wounds of War,’ we focus not only on the soldier and the veteran, but also on their families,” Good said. “It saddens me greatly that our government continues to send these young people into combat zones who come home without limbs and with a great deal of mental wounds that often lead them to suicide.

“They are trained to kill,” she added, “and they kill brutally, so much more often killing innocent women and children, but when they come home they struggle with the guilt of that killing, and at the loss of camaraderie and value that they felt ‘over there.’ In order to cope or escape, they either take their own lives or suffer from PTSD, leaving their families behind.”

This is also the first production in the 2020-21 season to feature live, outdoor and socially distanced performances. Good was ready to take on the challenge of bringing theater back to the DePauw campus.

“We’ve been deprived of live theater for over a year and, after safely and successfully directing three live outdoor productions last summer, I felt confident in proposing that DePauw Theatre attempt doing a live production in the Theta Garden, and I’m very grateful that we’ve been given the chance to do so from the administration. It’s been so heartwarming to witness how enthusiastic the cast is to be doing theatre again.”

First-year student Taylor Flemming is ready to get back on stage, performing in front of audiences.

“I am so excited to perform for a live audience for the first time in over a year. Being back in full costumes and on a stage is so magical. The overall message of the show is so important, and the whole cast does a great job portraying it. This show is really special, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

“AJAX: The Wounds of War” runs from Thursday, May 6 to Saturday, May 8 at 8:30 p.m. with a livestream via the DePauw School of Music YouTube page on Sunday, May 9 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are free and can be reserved through depauw.edu/arts. Tickets are limited due to social distancing guidelines and masks must be worn by attendees throughout the production.

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