BRANDON DAUGHTRY SLOCUM/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL

Jenna Chaffee as Antigone in the upcoming production of 'Antigone.'

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In the plays of ancient Greece, the Chorus was responsible for providing the other characters with the insight and counsel they needed. And who better to give wise counsel than the elders of society?

The Silver Stage Players from Knoxville's John T. O'Connor Senior Center make up the wise Greek Chorus as they join with The Wild Thyme Players in a production of Elizabeth Wyckoff's 1957 translation of Sophocles' "Antigone." The show stars 16-year-old Bearden High School student Jenna Chaffee in the title role with experienced Knoxville actor, Jacques Durand, as Creon, the ruler of Thebes.

"This classic tragedy examines the relationship between politicians and the people, and the dire consequences for leaders who refuse to question their choices or change their minds when the people do not support their actions," says director Brandon Daughtry Slocum.

Founded in 2006, The Wild Thyme Players, a theater company for lifetime learners, is a traditional mentor-apprentice company where inexperienced artists work side-by-side with veterans to learn the craft. Slocum, the company's artistic director, says they focus primarily on classical pieces. Veteran performers enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise as mentors, and new artists benefit from one-on-one training and stage experience as apprentices.

In 2007, a unique partnership was formed between The Wild Thyme Players and a group of senior citizens at the John T. O'Connor Center, and The Silver Stage Players were born. Made up of theatre novices as well as several of Knoxville's finest senior actors, including Wanda Huttner who was on stage in Minneapolis and New York before coming to Knoxville, The Silver Stage Players have written and produced several of their own productions and have worked with The Wild Thyme Players on productions of "Hamlet" and "The Curate Shakespeare As You Like It." "Antigone" is the first complete co-production of the two companies.

The ages in the cast range from 9-year-old Billy Ross, who is acting his first play, to several senior actors ages 55 to 79. "The seniors bring to the process a wealth of life experience that enhances our understanding of the work," says Slocum.

Performances of "Antigone" are at 8 p.m. Feb. 19, 20, and 21 and 3 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for seniors over 55. Children under 12 are free.

For information about The Wild Thyme Players and The Silver Stage Players go to www.lovemywillie.org.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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