Achilles: The Next Iliad
Achilles is the greatest weapon the Greeks have ever possessed.
To Patroclus he is just Achilles.
The glory of war, the pride of men, and the wrath of the gods spiral towards doom in a new form bending adaptation of Homer’s Iliad from Ava Pirie and Brayden Stallman. Experience the epic poetry brought to life as young love is perforated by death and destruction from both the enemy within and without.
At the edge of the world and the end of it all, sing of the rage of Achilles.
The Rat NYC 2025
Achilles: The Next Iliad is a dance-theater piece bringing the epic poetry of Homer’s Iliad to life. This production will be mounted at The Rat NYC this June in celebration of Pride Month.
This will be a world premiere adaptation with text adapted by Brayden Stallman and Ava Pirie featuring dance crafted by Emma Giordano.
Performance Dates
June 20th at 7pm
June 21st at 7pm
What Does Your Help Provide?
Next Life Theatre is currently seeking $1,500 to help fund this project.
Funds will contribute to the following:
Rehearsal and performance rental costs.
Limited production budget materials.
Artist financial support for performers, designers, and production staff.
Stretch goal: $2,000 to improve our ability to support our artists financially.
We Want To Thank You!
We want to do what we can to thank our backers and here's what we're offering in return for your support!
Donations of $25 will receive:
A handwritten thank you from our Artistic and Managing Directors, Brayden Stallman and Elizabeth Muriel.
Donations above $50 will receive:
A name on our lobby display and in our program.
A handwritten thank you from our Artistic and Managing Directors
Donations above $100 will receive:
A name on our lobby display and in our program.
A handwritten thank you from our Artistic and Managing Directors
A custom thank you video from our cast and crew.
A poster signed by the cast.
Donations above $250 will receive:
A name on our lobby display and in our program under our Honorary Producer tier.
A handwritten thank you from our Artistic and Managing Directors, Brayden Stallman and Elizabeth Muriel.
A custom thank you video from our cast and crew.
A poster signed by the cast.
Premium reserved ticket upgrade on up to two ticket purchases and a thank you gift bag received at the show.
Operation: Next Life
Next Life was born out of two things: A love of classic works and a desire to see them reflect the demographics, attitude, and style of contemporary artists.
While we love Shakespeare, Greek Theatre, Gothic Novels, Oscar Wilde, Classical Mythology, and everything in between. The reality of these texts is that they exclude the demographics that make up modern audiences. We believe in the power of retelling the same stories over again just as those who have produced the classics have believed for years, but understand the importance of giving these stories the space to grow and change. Classics have historically been as tool of colonialism and patriarchy, but we believe in their power to subvert the very systems that lead to their creation by returning these stories to the disenfranchised.
Our Key Principles:
Theatre is for everyone. Theatre should not require a liberal arts degree to understand. Theatre should be accessible and comprehensible to all people.
Theatre is political as all art is political. Every choice made in art is political and it is our responsibility to foster diverse, inclusive, sustainable, and progressive spaces for the production of art.
Theatre should be thought-provoking, entertaining, but foremost come from a place of love of community.
Why the Next Life and not a New Life?
The beauty of classics is that they should be for everyone. We are but stewards of stories for a time. These stories have been in the hands of other, and will be in the hands of artists after us. We only carry stories through their next life before they move on to their next and their next and their next.
Other Ways To Get Involved!
If you want to support this project but don't have the financial means: share this with others!
For more information on casting, volunteer opportunities, script submissions, and career opportunities please visit https://nextlifetheatre.com/work-with-us/
