7:00 pm EDT
Location: Gaston Hall
Join the The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, Earth Commons Institute, and Theater of War Productions for a live dramatic reading of scenes from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, culminating in a guided audience discussion–catalyzed and framed by the ancient play–about climate change, ethical leadership, and ecological justice. Through performance and conversation, we will confront urgent questions of leadership, truth, public health, and collective responsibility and consider what this ancient story reveals about caring for our Common Home today.
This event will take place in Gaston Hall and will also be streamed live for a global audience.
Overview
The Oedipus Project presents acclaimed actors, public servants, and community members reading scenes from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King as a catalyst for powerful, constructive, global discussions about climate change, ecological disaster, ethical leadership, and environmental justice. Sophocles’ ancient play is a timeless story of arrogant leadership, ignored prophecy, intergenerational curses, and a pestilence and ecological collapse that ravages the city of Thebes. Seen through this lens, the play has served a powerful catalyst for engaging diverse communities in dynamic discussions about the climate crisis.
Featuring performances by Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain, The Social Network), Dr. Anthony Fauci (Distinguished University Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine and McCourt School of Public Policy), Jumaane Williams (New York City Public Advocate), Mare Winningham (St. Elmo’s Fire, Dopesick), Bill Irwin (Interstellar, Sesame Street), Erika Rose (Queens Girl in Africa, In Darfur), and Craig Wallace (Fences, A Christmas Carol).
Why Now?
At a time when environmental disruption, public health crises, and social division demand deeper civic courage, this project brings the arts into urgent dialogue with the challenges shaping our shared Common Home. It builds on a growing partnership between Earth Commons and The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics (The Lab), under the artistic leadership of Earth Commons Faculty Fellow Derek Goldman (Artistic & Executive Director of The Lab), which has convened artists, scientists, policymakers, and students at the intersection of performance, climate, sustainability, and global health—through initiatives such as the global youth climate project We Hear You and collaborations with institutions including The Kennedy Center, the Royal Dramatic Theatre of Sweden, and partners in Qatar and Greece.
The presentation of Theater of War’s Oedipus Project launches a new multi-year partnership with Theater of War Productions. In addition to bringing its acclaimed model of dramatic reading and facilitated dialogue to campus, the collaboration will develop a new co-production inspired by The Trial and Death of Socrates, blending classical texts, embodied perspective-taking, and civic dialogue to deepen empathy and collective responsibility in response to today’s intertwined environmental and social challenges.