Black Voices In Myth

Black Voices in Myth was a research and development project supported by Arts Council England which AOD Actors of Dionysus undertook in 2021 and 2023 and saw us commission writer Kaleya Baxe to produce a script exploring and celebrating marginalised voices in myth, challenging the narrow window through which Classics has been historically viewed. A two-week research and development project led by director Jessica Kaliisa took place in 2021 and was followed by another two-week research and development period in 2023 led by director Rebekah Murrell and co-produced with Uproot. Both periods of development led to a working script The Tree who Found her Roots and culminated in a work in progress sharing at Chickenshed Theatre to an invited audience.

The team were supported by academic outside eye, Professor Katherine Harloe, and the project increased representation, accessibility and critical thinking, improving access to the subject for young people who face barriers to study and enjoy ancient Greek/Roman history or myth.

The project sparked an exciting relationship with our partner Chickenshed Theatre, an inclusive theatre company in which we offered offer placements to two of their graduates and where we hope to develop further education outreach, sharing good practice from both our organisations.

The second phase of the project culminated in the development of a new research project for AOD Actors of Dionysus called Andromeda and Other Black Icons, working both with Katherine Harloe and Dr Mai Musié. Sharings of work in progress for this project took place in association with Afrori Books at Brighton Book Festival (June 23) and at Chickenshed Theatre (Oct 31) with performers Leda Douglas and Ben Scheck.