January 25 – 28
2023
Trapped in the subterranean afterlife of ancient Sumeria, the once mighty Enkidu lingers between worlds. Tethered to the past by failing memories and unable (or unwilling) to let go, he fades. If he can just remember–if he can assemble the dream house and complete the ritual–maybe the gods will send him a good dream and show him the way back to his life with Gilgamesh.
The much-anticipated performance by poet and performance artist Jon Hedderwick is our first public event in the new year! “Enkidu” features an original score composed and performed by garbageface (a.k.a. karol orzechowski) and is directed by Ryan Kerr and Kate Story.
Based on the world’s oldest surviving piece of literature, the Epic of Gilgamesh, “Enkidu” allows Hedderwick to step into the role of the fallen hero, Enkidu, to explore the tale of a city-state ripped from nature over 5000 years ago through a new lens. Touching on the classic themes of balance, fate, memory, love and control; and expanding the conversation into the deep waters of toxic masculinity, environmental destruction and human exceptionalism, “Enkidu” is Hedderwick’s response to the questions: What happens when we set ourselves apart from nature? What happens when we can’t stop chasing the things that we know destroy us… even as the gods fall upon us?
Content warning: This piece includes descriptions of violence, murder, death, and non-graphic discussions of sexual violence. It uses a sound system, has a full soundtrack and uses sudden shifts in theater lighting.
