When I first read The Bacchae last year in class, I fell in love with the story (almost to an unhealthy hyperfixation extent), and I knew I wanted to direct it someday. However, as much as I loved it, I couldn’t find a way to reconcile with the fact that The Bacchae’s female characters aren’t super well fleshed out. In the original text, Agaue only enters in the final scene and serves solely as a plot mechanism to further enhance the effect of Pentheus’s downfall. Additionally, the chorus speaks exclusively in unison, stripping the maenads from their individuality and eccentricity. Thus, came the idea to adapt the text and perform it on my terms. I wanted to create a show that honored the original text and its plot, but gave voice and new perspectives to the horror experienced by the women of Thebes. After all, is there even a story to tell without the distinct madness of the maenads? Or the tragedy that befalls Agaue? Working with the actors and production team to create these characters has been such a rewarding and beautiful experience. I’m amazed at how each member of the chorus was willing to work with me to devise completely unique personalities and character traits for their ‘maenad.’ And I’m so especially grateful to Eden, who breathed new life into Agaue, and to Max & Kai for helping develop the maternal and ardent relationships we see between Agaue, Pentheus, and Dionysus. 

There are dozens of people that I owe my eternal thanks to for their support of this production. I wish I could highlight them all, but I will spare the producers from having to print a 20 page directors’ note. At least, let me thank Caroline and CUPAL for taking a chance on me and allowing me to direct this show. And Olivia and Jon for their constant support as producers. Without these people and their belief in the vision, this show never would have happened.

I could probably write entire essays about how important and illuminating this text is when it comes to themes of political control, repressed sexuality, patriarchy, queerness, femininity, and motherhood. However, I’ll leave you to discover it and appreciate it yourselves. I hope you, the audience, find the same joy and richness from The Bacchae that I have. 

With all my love, 

Izzy Bohn