ANTIGONE: A One-Act Modern Language Adaptation for Young Actors

CREON. You must learn your place in the world, Antigone. ANTIGONE. It's you, lord Creon, who must learn my place in the world.

Two brothers lie dead at the gates of the ancient city of Thebes, each killed by the other in the final battle of a bloody civil war. King Creon decrees that one brother, Eteocles, defender of Thebes, will be given a hero’s burial. The other brother, Polyneices, leader of the rebel forces, is to be left unburied where he fell outside the city gates. Anyone who violates Creon’s decree will be stoned to death. Antigone, sister of the fallen brothers, believes that Creon’s decree is a dishonor to Polyneices and his family and an offense to the gods. Antigone decides to defy Creon’s decree and bury Polyneices, no matter the consequences.

Sophocles’ Antigone is a timeless tragic drama written over 2,500 years ago that explores important issues that are still relevant in the modern world, including the conflict between a state’s authority and individual rights, gender equality, laws and morality, family loyalty, and the dangers posed by prideful, authoritarian leaders.

This one-act, modern-language version of Antigone is adapted specifically for young actors. It offers strong, challenging roles, and the modern language of the play makes it highly accessible and engaging for actors and audiences alike.

This adaptation of Antigone is excellent for one-act play competitions, acting competitions, and theatre festivals