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About the project

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The Suppliants Project

Dramatic Reading of The Suppliants, by Aeschylus

Translated and Directed by Bryan Doerries

The Suppliants Project tells the timeless story of fifty female refugees seeking asylum at a border from forced marriage and domestic violence. The play not only depicts the struggle of these women to cross into safety, but also the internal struggle within the city that ultimately receives them. Using a 2,500-year-old tragedy by Aeschylus as a catalyst for powerful gatherings and crucial conversations, The Suppliants Project engages diverse audiences in humanizing, constructive dialogue about the challenges and impact of war, migration, and seeking asylum.

About the play

  • The Suppliants by Aeschylus

    In Aeschylus’ ancient play The Suppliants, fifty women who are fleeing forced marriages travel from Egypt to Argos in order to ask King Pelasgus for asylum. At first, Pelasgus refuses to help them, but the Argive people rally behind the women and convince their king to allow the refugees to remain under the city’s protection. When a large group of Egyptian men arrive in Argos, demanding their women back, King Pelasgus threatens them and summons his army to drive them away. The play ends with the women retreating to safety and finding asylum within the walls of Argos.

The Suppliants Project Highlights

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The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Project: Ukraine

On Zoom / 2022

Watch the full recording of The Suppliants Project: Ukraine featuring performances by Oscar Isaac, Willem Dafoe, David Strathairn, and our chorus of Ukrainians! This special event had an international audience from 62 countries.

Amanpour and Co Suppliants Project Ukraine
The Suppliants Project

The war in Ukraine through the lens of Ancient Greek tragedy

CNN / 2022

Amanpour and Company featured an interview with Bryan Doerries, David Strathairn, and Lyudmila Yaninka on CNN. They spoke with host Sara Snider about The Suppliants Project: Ukraine and the impact of this special collaboration. Learn about Lyudmila’s humanitarian aid work, and hear 12-year-old actor Kira Meshcherska speak from Kyiv about her experiences during the war. Watch the interview.

The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Project Trailer

2020

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The Suppliants Project

Premiere procession of the Suppliants Project

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The premiere began with a procession of the chorus and Danaus, played by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the band, inclusive of drummers, turtle, and conch players.

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The Suppliants Project

Premiere procession of the Suppliants Project

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The premiere began with a procession of the chorus and Danaus, played by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the band, inclusive of drummers, turtle, and conch players.

2019 12 13 the Suppliants Project 61
The Suppliants Project

Premiere procession of the Suppliants Project

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The premiere began with a procession of the chorus and Danaus, played by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the band, inclusive of drummers, turtle, and conch players.

2019 12 13 the Suppliants Project 80
The Suppliants Project

Premiere procession of the Suppliants Project

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The premiere began with a procession of the chorus and Danaus, played by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the band, inclusive of drummers, turtle, and conch players.

2019 12 13 the Suppliants Project 97
The Suppliants Project

Premiere procession of the Suppliants Project

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The premiere began with a procession of the chorus and Danaus, played by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the band, inclusive of drummers, turtle, and conch players.

2019 12 13 the Suppliants Project 121
The Suppliants Project

Premiere procession of the Suppliants Project

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The premiere began with a procession of the chorus and Danaus, played by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the band, inclusive of drummers, turtle, and conch players.

2019 12 13 the Suppliants Project 162
The Suppliants Project

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams plays Danaus

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

David Zayas plays Pelasgus

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

War Dance

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

Paula Castillo, distinguished Garifuna singer

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Chorus

Andrew Freedman Home

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The Suppliants Project

War Dance

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

Dancers from the Audience

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

Maria Guity dancing

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

Tesa Arozqueta from the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

David Zayas as Pelasgus

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

Conch player

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

Bill Camp plays the Messenger

Andrew Freedman Home / 2019

The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Theater of War Music Workshop

Bronx NY / 2019

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The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Project Premiere

Valencia College, Orlando, FL / 2019

Souraya Ghalayini serves on the panel along side Liliana Alvarez, Sam Montione, and Jacqueline Miszuk at the premiere of The Suppliants Project.

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The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Project Premiere

Valencia College, Orlando, FL / 2019

Liliana Alvarez serves on the panel of The Suppliants Project.

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The Suppliants Project

The Suppliants Project Premiere

Valencia College, Orlando, FL / 2019

Obi Abili performs in The Suppliants Project premiere

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