by Albert Camus
directed by Richard Ragsdale
at The Griffin Theatre
Opened Monday, July 21, 1997
“Defiant presents plenty of philosophy with fornication.”
Nightlines
The stink of a decaying culture. The vast Roman Empire has but one throat, and Emperor Caligula’s hands are wrapped around it. Yet Caligula’s tight grip is not enough. Only one thing can provide meaning in his world–conquering the moon.
Photos by Richard Norwood
Behind the Scenes Photos by Amy Wilhoite
The Setting
Pagan Rome
Cast
Caius Caesar Augustus Germanicus; Father of the Country; High Priest of the Gods of Rome; Supreme Tribune of the People; Father of the Armies; Son of the Armies; Holiest of Holies; Best and Greatest of the Caesars; Holder of the Civic Crown; Conqueror of Britain, Germany, and the Eternal Sea (Formerly the Realm of Neptune); Emperor of Rome – called Caligula … Christopher Johnson
Milonia Caesonia, mistress, later wife of Caligula … Linda Gillum
Helicon, a freed slave, manservant to Caligula … Will Schutz
Scipio, a young poet, friend to Caligula … Amy Wilhoite
Cherea, Prefect of the Praetorian Guard … Sean Sinitski
The Old Patrician … Kevin Wade
Longinus, Intendant of the Imperial Palace … A. Bryan Guthrie
The First Patrician … Jennifer Gehr
The Second Patrician … Cherise Silvestri
Mucius, a patrician … Kati Brazda
Lepidus, a knight … A. Bryan Guthrie
Merela, a patrician … Cherise Silvestri
Drusilla, sister to Caligula … Shannon Lipper
The German Guards … Stefanie Caterer
… Kati Brazda
… Shannon Lipper
The Patricians’ Wives … Stefanie Caterer
… Shannon Lipper
… Amy Wilhoite
The Poets … Stefanie Caterer
… Cherise Silvestri
… Will Schutz
… A. Bryan Guthrie
… Kati Brazda
… Shannon Lipper
… Jennifer Gehr
Slaves … Cast
Production Team
Co-Producer … Greg Nishimura
Stage Manager … Greer Nesbitt
Assistant Director … Jim Slonina
Dramaturg … Sean Sinitski
Fight Choreographer … Kevin Wade
Set Designer … Stephen Kruse
Scenic Artist/Master Carpenter … Martin McClendon
Costume Designer … Beth Nowak
Lighting Designer … Richy Norwood
Audio Sculptors … Gregor Mortis and Prank
Carpenter … John DeLeonardis
Board Operator … Jim Slonina
Poster Design … A. Bryan Guthrie
Photographers … Jeff Arena
… Stephanie Howard
… Amy Wilhoite
Front of House … B.F. Helman
… Anne McKernan
… Lisa Rothschiller