To be taken back into a world of Greek mythology and unique tales, look no further than the Pepperdine Theatre Department‘s winter production of “Iphigenia Among the Taurians.”
The production, directed by Bradley Griffin, divisional dean and professor of theatre, opens Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in Lindhurst Theatre.
The show is a lesser-known Greek tragedy which takes audience members on a journey in which Iphigenia, the priestess of the Taurians, must kill any Greek sailor who lands on the shores of her land. Iphigenia has a dream that her brother, who was an infant when she left, has died — yet soon enough, the audience discovers he is alive and has just landed upon the shore.
“It’s an interesting play because it is a Greek tragedy, but it basically has a happy ending,” Griffin said.
Griffin said he has directed several plays in the winter slot and is used to the tight turn-around that comes with it. Due to this, he proposed three Greek tragedies with shorter run times, as he has a positive history with the genre.
“This is the third Greek tragedy I’ve directed at Pepperdine, and I just really enjoy kind of bringing that style back every couple of years for students to get a chance to work in,” Griffin said.
The production features first-year Skyla I’Lece as Iphigenia, the show’s lead, as well as juniors Nathan Skenderian and Josh Wilson as Orestes and Pylades. Juniors Lucy Schene, Zoe O’Donnell and Isabelle Titzer make up the chorus.
I’Lece said her character was sacrificed by her father, King Agamemnon, and therefore can come off as hard-shelled.
“Iphigenia may come off as a woman with a hard exterior, but really she’s just a girl who was utterly traumatized by her father’s betrayal and longs for camaraderie and friendship,” I’Lece said.
Wilson’s character, Pylades, is the best friend and cousin of Orestes. Wilson said Pylades accompanies Orestes on a dangerous journey given to him by the gods, in which he must steal a statue from a foreign land.
Griffin said the winter production’s rehearsal process typically begins after fall exams, pauses for the holidays, then immediately resumes after New Year’s Day. However, this year posed unique challenges.
Due to the spring semester’s later start, the cast and crew began rehearsals Jan. 2. The Palisades Fire ignited shortly after Jan. 7, and rehearsals were put on pause for several days.
“It’s really been kind of amazing that we’re ready to open next week after all the disruption,” Griffin said. “I’ve just been so appreciative of the ensemble cast that we have in this production. They have worked together so well under really challenging circumstances.”
I’Lece said she believes the show has something for everybody, regardless of what you hope to gain from it.
“It showcases a strong, resourceful female protagonist who actively fights for what she wants,” I’Lece said. “The show also contains many allusions to faith and religion, which is something that is important for students — especially Pepperdine students — to hear and hopefully connect with.”
Griffin said he believes any Greek tragedy can be an exercise of empathy for audiences.
“You would never want to experience what the characters are going through, but by watching them go through it, you develop a greater sense of compassion, a greater sense of care for your fellow human beings,” Griffin said.
Though the story was written 2,400 years ago, Wilson said he believes people can connect with the show’s themes of loyalty, family and perseverance even today.
“This cast has worked so, so hard and with how chaotic the end to last semester and the beginning of this semester have been, we really want to give the audience something that they can enjoy and relate to for a night,” Wilson said.
Audiences can see the production until Feb. 1 in Lindhurst Theatre. Tickets cost $18 for the public, $13 for students and $15 for faculty and staff.
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Contact Amanda Monahan via email: amanda.monahan@pepperdine.edu
