SIUE’s Kathryn Bentley Directs “XTIGONE,” a Story of Urban Violence
February 12, 2020, 4:01 PM
Violence and death. They are as old as humankind is, but through the ages, the narratives and means have changed. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Department of Dance and Theater Associate Professor Kathryn Bentley will direct “XTIGONE,” a play about urban violence, written by award-winning playwright and actress Nambi Kelley, and performed by SIUE students. This highly electrifying adaptation of “ANTIGONE,” a tragedy by Sophocles written in or before 441 BCE, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 19-22 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 in the Dunham Hall Theater on SIUE’s campus. The opening production on Wednesday, Feb. 19 will be followed by a post-show discussion facilitated by Darryl C. Cherry, student retention coordinator for Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) and SIUE Collegiate 100 advisor.
XTIGONE’s brothers have been killed in drive-by shootings by each other’s rival gang. Her uncle, Marcellus da Man, calls a press conference on CNN to announce that the bodies should be buried, instead of uncovering the reality of violence in the city streets. Will Xtigone go against her powerful uncle and risk death by uncovering her brothers’ bodies? Using hip-hop poetry, dance and dialogue that speaks with an urban voice, this re-imagining of Sophocles’ “ANTIGONE” tells the story of the ill-fated Xtigone and her quest for her community’s truth.
“I’m holding the stories of my cast members in my heart, who have close personal connections with gun violence,” said Bentley. “Nambi E. Kelley’s play ‘XTIGONE’ is still relevant. The violence in our cities is still prominent, and it is severely affecting our communities. The youth are feeling the toll of this deeply. The truth is that these young people, who are often unfairly characterized as lazy, spoiled and entitled, are suffering from trauma.
“Young people are traumatized from growing up in a world where they witness gun violence in their communities, their schools and families,” she continued. “As proud as I am of the cast of this production for courageously bringing this tale to life, I wish that this story was no longer reality for so many of our youth.”
General admission is $15 for adults, 18 and older; and $12 for SIUE faculty, staff and retirees, senior citizens, and non-SIUE students with school identification. SIUE students with valid school ID are admitted free.
To purchase tickets, visit the DOTD Box Office located inside Dunham Hall, or call 618-650-2774. SIUE students should present their school ID for their complimentary ticket. One ticket is provided per student and per production. For directions and parking, visit siue.edu\maps.
For additional information, visit the Department of Theater and Dance website at siue.edu/artsandsciences/theater.
SIUE’s Department of Theater and Dance presents four plays and one dance concert during its October through April season. All productions are open to the community at large. The Department of Theater and Dance is part of the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE.
Photo courtesy by Theresa Kelly:
Actors featured are (top row, left to right): Joseph King and Garron Orozco and (bottom center): Kayla Bush.
