Every year the New York Classical Club selects a play for New York City high school students to adapt and perform at the City Dionysia Competition. This year, the NY Classical Club selected Sophocles’ Antigone. Students from THHS’s  band nine and band seven Greek classes participated in this competition and performed their act at the Leonard Theater at Fordham Preparatory High School on May 2, tweaking their adaptation to include zombies. They finished in third place.

The cast adapted the play to create the theme of a post-apocalyptic world filled with zombies. In this version, Polyneices, Antigone’s brother, is turned into a zombie because he defies his uncle’s orders. Antigone attempts to save him but is sent to prison for her rebellion. When she manages to escape, Antigone puts herself at risk of being turned into a zombie.

Advisor and Greek teacher Andrew Hagerty expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the performance because of the relation of this theme to the undead.

“My favorite part of the performance was the zombie chorus with choreography and I enjoyed the make-up,” Mr. Hagerty said.

Last year was the first time the class was eligible to compete.

“Our plot was much more  creative this year as there was more time to think it through,” said junior Sarah Shakur.

Sarah said that her role as a zombie gave her the opportunity to break out of her shell and boost her confidence.

Mr. Hagerty concluded that this competition “provides a creative outlet for students to find life in classical antiquity.”