lofshulthj@lopers.unk.edu

“Antigone Now,” written by Melissa Cooper, is a play engulfed in ethical dilemmas, and it will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday March 20 in the Miriam Drake Theatre. The production is directed by Samm Hanks, a senior English 7-12 education and theatre major. 

The play shows old texts are still important to modern society.

“There is still relevancy in ancient texts, and there can be more meaning in the media that we consume than is expected,” Hanks said.

The production is part of Hanks’ undergraduate research project. For the project, Hanks has been analyzing the texts and finding the value between old and new. 

“The core of [the project] is dramaturgical analysis,” Hanks said. “How do we take this ancient text and have it reflect modern themes and ancient theatre practices?”

Hanks’s research initially began as a project for a directing class. However, the pandemic canceled the performance. Hanks wanted the chance to dive deeper into the texts and found undergraduate research a perfect way to do that.

The cast consists of Grace McDonald, Mitchell Lierman, Lexi Powell, Zachary Allen, Bethany Ernst, Lucy Haarmann and Gabi Goeden. 

Of the cast members, Allen, Ernst and Goeden are from the original cast.

“It’s been an interesting experience,” said Lucy Haarmann, a language arts and theatre junior. “I’ve never been a part of a Greek chorus quite like this. The people I get to work with are putting in so much effort to make this production come together.”

“The now year-long process has been a bit stressful,” said Zachary Allen, a theatre junior. “This show is not the same that it was a year ago. Lines have changed, casts have changed, nearly every part of this performance has changed. I believe the whole cast and crew have handled it with grace. Antigone is one of my favorite plays, and I’m so excited to get to perform this wonderful adaptation.”

According to the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, “Students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor through all stages of a student-driven research project including study conceptualization, data collection and dissemination as well as all the unforeseen adaptations associated with research.”

Undergraduate Research Fellows is designed to allow students the experiences they wouldn’t normally get in a school environment. Approved applicants receive a $1,000 annual stipend to engage in a project relevant to their major.

According to the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, “The positive effects of the URF experience diffuses into student learning, attitude and career choices that has both professional and personal benefits.”

Tickets to the event are given out as the discretion of the cast and director.

“Just because Greek theatre is old doesn’t mean it’s not relevant and doesn’t have meaning in our current situations,” Hanks said.