Iphigenia Point Blank: Story of the First Refugee, A documentary film opera, is adapted from Euripides’ Iphigenia plays and ancient Greek laments from the Trojan War epics. The play follows Iphigenia, the first refugee depicted in western drama, through 2,500 years of history and across contemporary war zones to interrogate the current refugee crisis and change the ending of her story.

This production contains strong adult language and references to sexual and physical violence.

This production features Layale Chaker as Iphigenia (violin, actress).
Winner of the Ruth Anderson Competition, 2017, Layale started music at age 8 at the National Higher Conservatory of Beirut in her native Lebanon, at the Conservatoire de Paris-CRR, Columbia University in New York, and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She has appeared as a soloist, performer, improviser and composer in concerts, recitals and projects around Europe, the Middle-East, North and South America and Asia. 2018: solo violin and orchestra in Oxford, performances at Université de Bordeaux, Sorbonne-Université, MUCEM Museum, Walton Theatre, Cité Internationale des Arts, and Konzerthaus Berlin.

This production is part of the Iowa Partnership in the Arts program. This program was established in 1992 to support the creation of major new works of theatrical art. Nationally- and internationally-respected guest artists collaborate with students and faculty to present adventuresome new works, many of which have gone on to be productions throughout the country. This program is part of a long tradition of UI faculty and students collaborating with professional artists to develop new work.

Artistic Team

This production has been made possible in part by the University of Iowa Internal Funding Initiatives, the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, and the Puffin Foundation.

Iphigenia Point Blank: Story of the First Refugee is supported by FACE Contemporary Theater, a program developed by FACE Foundation and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States with the support from the Florence Gould Foundation, Institut français-Paris, the French Ministry of Culture and private donors. Additional support for women artists has been provided by Fondation CHANEL.

Iphigenia Point Blank: Story of the First Refugee is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

This performance is presented in partnership with Hancher’s Embracing Complexity project, which seeks to build textured knowledge of Islamic cultures, while creating a greater sense of empathy for the experiences of peoples of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

Tickets

Tickets are available through the Hancher Box Office.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Hancher Box Office in advance at 319.335.1158.