Presented in partnership with:
“This mindful interpretation captures how immediate our collective knowledge is on what it means to live through a plague, especially when that plague is blind devotion to one symbol of political power” -Review, Black Bee Buzz
JUNE 17-19, 24-26
7:30PM
THEIS PARK – FREE AT THE GATE
(click here for directions)
Thursday, June 17 -Preview
Friday, June 18 -OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, June 19 -pre-show discussion*
Thursday, June 24
Friday, June 25 -Donor Reception
Saturday, June 26 -pre-show discussion*
*7pm – Community Discussion “Arts in Times of Crisis”
June 19 Featured Speakers: Kimi Kitada (CSF Curatorial Fellow), MO Rep. Emily Weber, Damron Russell (Black Repertory Theatre), MO Sen. Lauren Arthur, Maite Salazar (Poet, Activist), MO Sen. Barbara Anne Washington
June 26 Featured Speakers: Amy Kligman (Charlotte Street Foundation), MO Rep. Ingrid Burnett, MO Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, Angela Gieras (KC Repertory Theatre), Cynthia Hardeman (Blackbox on Troost)
About the Set Design
The set of Oedipus the King reflects the unique artwork of over 100 members of the Kansas City community. People were invited to express their experiences of the tumultuous past year through painting a piece of the set. We are humbled that so many people came out to put their unique mark unto this public art installation and make their experiences be known!
Oedipus the King, a Greek Tragedy by Sophocles, tells the story of a pandemic that devastates the city of Thebes. With the city in panic, its leader Oedipus is told that the only way to lift his city from crisis is to investigate the murder of the city’s previous king. Oedipus is forced to confront the circumstances which lead to his rise to power, ultimately leading to dire revelations about his family. While the play is a classic, it reflects on the experiences of a community trying to grapple with the effects of an unchecked pandemic. Oedipus the King examines what it means to hold leaders to account for their actions. This public performance will include pre-show discussions with the director and invited city leaders. The audience will also be invited to take part in a public art installation that acts as the set for the play.
FEATURING
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Director, Adapter/Translator
Nathan Bowman
Stage Manager
Kayla Koester
Costume Design
Elizabeth Bettendorf Bowman
Set Design
Derek Trautwein
Music and Sound Design
Nathan Bowman
Asst. Stage Manager
Elena Nguyen
Additional Scenic Art
Chas Coffman
Sound Engineering
Mary Robinson and Joseph Dillman
With Special Thanks to:
Leslie Alford, Keeley Wough, UMKC Theatre, Ben Whitcomb,
Dick Trautwein, Michael Pittman
Kansas City Public Theatre is committed to the safety of our staff, actors, crew, volunteers and patrons as they participate in and attend our productions during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to safely begin theater productions, we intend to adhere to the following the guidelines which contain recommendations applicable to our organization in accordance with guidance from local, state, and federal health authorities.
- All employees will be required to wear masks for the entirety of the event.
- Masks are required for all audience members who have not been fully vaccinated.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be made available to audience members
- No food or beverage items will be made available to audience members by Kansas City Public Theatre
- Visitors are discouraged from congregating in large groups
- Audience members who do not RSVP will be required to provide their name and contact information prior to entering the event.
Kansas City Public Theatre 