ATHENA Audience Guide

Hoping to dig deeper into the world of Athena? You've come to the right place.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• BEFORE THE SHOW
• Watch
• Listen
• Read
• Interview with playwright Gracie Gardner
• Fencing Explained: Read our primer on all things fencing
• AFTER THE SHOW
• Discussion Guide
• Play Synopsis
• LOOKING FOR MORE?
• More to Read
  
• More to Watch
  
• Check out these other great plays that feature sports
  
• Attend one of these upcoming WT events
  

BEFORE THE SHOW

WATCH

Watch an interview with Director Jessica Fisch!

AFTER THE SHOW

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Host your own conversation or reflection at home using our curated discussion guide.

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Here’s a bounty of other things to delve into. 

MORE TO READ:

• Why You Should Yell and Scream in Fencing by Igor Chirashnya 

• A History of Fencing in Chicago Public Schools: Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep in Roseland is the only CPS school with an active fencing team.

MORE TO WATCH:

• Lee Kiefer Wins Gold in Tokyo: The Olympian from Kentucky brings home the first ever gold medal in individual foil for the USA.  
• Fencing Trick Shots: Under the leg and around the back. Check out this highlight reel of the craziest fencing moves.
  
• The Princess Bride (1987): “You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you.”
  
• The Mark of Zorro (1940): Don’t miss the candle slice at 1:04. 
• Rob Roy (1995): Liam Neeson goes broadsword vs. rapier as the titular justice-seeking outlaw. 

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT PLAYS THAT FEATURE SPORTS 

• The Last Match by WT favorite Anna Ziegler
• The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe 
• The Great Leap by Lauren Yee 
• The Royale by Marco Ramirez 
• Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg 
• Golden Boy by Clifford Odets 

ATTEND ONE OF THESE UPCOMING WT EVENTS:

To Be Young Again: A panel discussion about the adolescent experience in 2022.  

Tuesday, June 14th 7pm in the Gillian and streamed on Zoom

Within the last ten years, technology, societal pressures, and the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly altered the landscape of American young adulthood. Join us for a panel discussion exploring our current world through the lens of Gen Z.

REGISTER HERE

Teen Night at Writers Theatre

Thursday, June 23rd at 6pm in the Rehearsal Room 

Teens takeover Writers Theatre for a preshow party featuring local bands from the Glencoe Academy of Music.  

REGISTER HERE

En Garde! Youth Matinee Workshop  

Saturday, June 25th at 3pm in the Rehearsal Room  

Catch the Athena matinee while your young one dives into the world of theatre with WT Education teaching artists.

REGISTER HERE

Behind the Scenes: FENCING

Saturday, June 25th at 5pm in the Gillian Theatre 

Are those swords real? Find answers to that and all your other pressing combat questions at WT’s behind the scenes look at the role of fencing in Gracie Gardner’s play Athena. Featuring production fight choreographer David Blixt and fencing consultant Clint Smith.

REGISTER HERE