Live readings of scenes from Sophocles’ Philoctetes as a catalyst for a powerful discussion about mental health, coming of age, and caregiving

The Neoptolemus Project presents acclaimed actors performing scenes from Sophocles’ Philoctetes—an ancient play about a young man who is sent to betray a decorated warrior who has been abandoned on a desolate island—as a catalyst for guided audience discussions about mental health, coming of age, and the challenges of caregiving for those our society has marginalized. Using Sophocles’ play to create a vocabulary for discussing difficult subjects, the project aims to generate compassion, understanding, awareness, and connection among diverse audiences. This special event will highlight the voices of youth and Youth Peer Advocates, who by virtue of their life experiences are credible messengers of hope, resilience, recovery, and wellness.

Co-presented by Theater of War Productions, Youth Move National, YouthPower, Families Together, New York University Langone Health, IDEAS Center, Mental Health America, and Wellbeing Trust.

Support for our digital programming is provided, in part, by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Featuring performances by Taylor Schilling. (Orange Is the New Black), Frankie Faison (The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain), David Zayas (Dexter), and Nyasha Hatendi (Alex Rider).

The Neoptolemus Project will take place on Zoom Webinar and can be accessed on personal devices. The event Zoom link will be distributed via email and available to registered attendees starting two days prior to the event.

This event will be captioned in English.

All of Theater of War Productions’ events follow the same format:

The performers will read the text.

Community panelists will kick off the discussion with their gut responses to what resonated with them across the time

We will open the discussion to the audience, facilitated by Bryan Doerries. During the discussion, please raise your hand using the button at the bottom center of the screen. If called upon, please accept the invitation to be promoted to speak and you will be visible and heard by the entire audience for the duration of your comments. If you would prefer not to be seen, please disable your video.

Time: 6:00 PM — 8:00 PM EST

Free!