"This is a story of grief, spirit, and revolution. A time of cockfights, prayer, and radicalization. Who knows how to best show up to this time? Let’s witness. Let’s be together."
- Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos
- Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos
ABOUT
ANTIGONX
by Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos
directed by Jackie Davis
directed by Jackie Davis
inspired by Sophocles’ 'Antigone' and the people of Borikén/Puerto Rico
Created by Shey Rivera Ríos and directed by Jackie Davis, Antigonx is a queer, Latinx story inspired by the Greek tragedy of Antigone. We are welcomed in the Motherboard of Ancestral Technologies, an altar space between dimensions. Here we are greeted by the lightworker Tiresias, who activates the Motherboard and awakens the spirits of Antigone and Ismene. We follow along a retelling of their story in the context of the island of Abundancia, otherwise known as Borikén/Puerto Rico. The siblings struggle with the tension of love, grief, and spiritual responsibility in the midst of political upheaval in the island of Abundancia.
Performances of AntigonX are presented in a limited run at the Wilbury Theatre Group’s newly-constructed theater space at WaterFire Arts Center March 31 – April 10, before traveling to the world renowned Magdalena Festival produced by Double Edge Theater in Ashfield, MA for performances through April 24.
Performances of AntigonX are presented in a limited run at the Wilbury Theatre Group’s newly-constructed theater space at WaterFire Arts Center March 31 – April 10, before traveling to the world renowned Magdalena Festival produced by Double Edge Theater in Ashfield, MA for performances through April 24.
PLEASE NOTE: Performances of 'AntigonX' are held indoors at the Wilbury Group's performance space. Pursuant to the Wilbury Group's Health and Safety Precautions, all attendees must either show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (at least 14 days have passed since the final dose), or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in the prior 72-hours, or proof of a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken in the prior 6-hours. Regardless of vaccination status, all attendees must also wear masks over their nose and mouth at all times while inside the venue.
PRESS & REVIEWS
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PRODUCTION PHOTOS
CAST + CREATIVE TEAM
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ANTIGONX
By Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos Directed by Jackie Davis Costume Design by Jackie Davis, featuring original designs by Maria Del Carmen Mercado Set Design by Jackie Davis and Shey Rivera Ríos Technical Direction and Stage Construction by Max Ponticelli Stage and Props Assistance by Saul Ramos and Alex Rivera Masks by Eli Nixon and Seth Tourjee Animations by Shey Rivera Ríos Projection Design by Max Ponticelli Sound and Light Design by Andy Russ Co-Choreography by Jackie Davis and Shaffany Terrell Stage Management by Emmy Varden* Assistant Stage Management by Hernán Jourdan Front of House Management by Christine Treglia Volunteer Management by Renee Bessette Production Photos by Erin X. Smithers Press / Media Inquiries: Niki Healy |
*Appears courtesy Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
ARTIST BIOS:
Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos
Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos*, Playwright / An†ígona
Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos (they / them) is an interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist and arts administrator. Their artistic creations explore a variety of themes: from home to capitalism, queerness, magic, and our relationship with technology. Rivera has 10 years of experience in the arts sector. Their trajectory includes 8 years of leadership at AS220, a non profit arts organization and artistic incubator in Providence, RI, and being part of the team of the Community Innovation Lab (MIT CoLab) of the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Rivera majored in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR-Rio Piedras), and has postgraduate studies in Culture and Contemporary Media from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rivera has been living in Providence, RI, for the past 10 years and loves their creative community. They often support the work, creative paths, and projects of other local artists and engage in collaborations that spark the imagination and push the horizons on how art can help us envision better futures. Rivera serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Artist Communities and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at The Wilbury Theatre Group. Artistic projects include the LUNA LOBA performance series and the FANTASY ISLAND transmedia project. Rivera's work has been featured in publications such as Hyperallergic and Art Scope New England.
Shey ‘Rí Acu’ Rivera Ríos (they / them) is an interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist and arts administrator. Their artistic creations explore a variety of themes: from home to capitalism, queerness, magic, and our relationship with technology. Rivera has 10 years of experience in the arts sector. Their trajectory includes 8 years of leadership at AS220, a non profit arts organization and artistic incubator in Providence, RI, and being part of the team of the Community Innovation Lab (MIT CoLab) of the MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Rivera majored in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR-Rio Piedras), and has postgraduate studies in Culture and Contemporary Media from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rivera has been living in Providence, RI, for the past 10 years and loves their creative community. They often support the work, creative paths, and projects of other local artists and engage in collaborations that spark the imagination and push the horizons on how art can help us envision better futures. Rivera serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance of Artist Communities and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at The Wilbury Theatre Group. Artistic projects include the LUNA LOBA performance series and the FANTASY ISLAND transmedia project. Rivera's work has been featured in publications such as Hyperallergic and Art Scope New England.
Jackie Davis
Jackie Davis, Director
Jackie Davis (she / her) is an actor and director working primarily on the East Coast. Previous work with the Wilbury Theatre Group includes choreography for Dance Nation, and roles in God Talks to An Agnostic seasons 1 & 2 and Rapture Blister Burn. She is a teaching artist for Trinity Repertory Company’s Education Department and a Master Teacher for their Young Actors Summer Institute where she teaches Directing, Hip-Hop and Movement for the Actor. She is the founding artistic director of New Urban Theater Laboratory, where she produced and directed five years of new works, including Gift of an Orange-a well-received production hosted by the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Jackie is involved in all three disciplines, theater, television and film. She recently directed Race by David Mamet at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. She recently appeared on stage in An Octoroon at the Gamm Theatre and will appear in Trinity Repertory Company’s upcoming production of Fairview. Film work includes her role as abolitionist Susan Robbins in Columbia Pictures’ “Little Women”.
Notable directing credits included Ruined, Hairspray, and For Colored Girls Who Consider Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. Jackie is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). https://jackiemdavis.com/
Jackie Davis (she / her) is an actor and director working primarily on the East Coast. Previous work with the Wilbury Theatre Group includes choreography for Dance Nation, and roles in God Talks to An Agnostic seasons 1 & 2 and Rapture Blister Burn. She is a teaching artist for Trinity Repertory Company’s Education Department and a Master Teacher for their Young Actors Summer Institute where she teaches Directing, Hip-Hop and Movement for the Actor. She is the founding artistic director of New Urban Theater Laboratory, where she produced and directed five years of new works, including Gift of an Orange-a well-received production hosted by the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival. Jackie is involved in all three disciplines, theater, television and film. She recently directed Race by David Mamet at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater. She recently appeared on stage in An Octoroon at the Gamm Theatre and will appear in Trinity Repertory Company’s upcoming production of Fairview. Film work includes her role as abolitionist Susan Robbins in Columbia Pictures’ “Little Women”.
Notable directing credits included Ruined, Hairspray, and For Colored Girls Who Consider Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. Jackie is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA). https://jackiemdavis.com/
Violeta ‘Ayacayia Anani Nanichi’ Cruz Del Valle
Violeta ‘Ayacayia Anani Nanichi’ Cruz Del Valle (she/her) is a vocalist, songwriter, performer, and actor born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and based in Providence, Rhode Island. Violeta started performing in cultural festivals and events in Rhode Island at an early age.
Other musical highlights include a collaboration with Armondo ‘Sisco Kennedy’ Machado and composer Nick Belt on a single titled "Rainbow”. This single was released in 2019 on Kennedy’s compilation album "E.D.I.T" and distributed on iTunes. In 2017, Violeta collaborated with a group of artists to create The Pull Up PVD initiative and perform at the SXSW Conference and Festival. And in 2018, Violeta was part of The New World Wave Aboriginal Dance Group and performed with Joel “Chief Tureygua Taino Cay” Tapia Rosario at the Taino Areito Fashion Show and Cultural Celebration. In 2021, she performed with AfroCuban musician Evans Molina Fernández as part of the PVD World Music summer series, and collaborated with Leandro ‘Kufa’ Castro on the hit single “Vámonos” and its music video by Genao Films.
Violeta has a flourishing acting career. In 2018, she starred in two productions: the musical “La Lupe: Exito y Gloria” written and directed by Francis Parra (ECAS Theatre) and a web series titled “The Jungle” written by Dir. J Antonio. Most recently, Violeta co-stars as Ismene in the theatrical production of Antigonx (2022), written by Shey Rivera Ríos, directed by Jackie Davis, and produced by The Wilbury Theatre Group in Providence, RI. Violeta’s purpose is to live a thriving creative life by creating music and artistic experiences that allow her to uplift her community through music and storytelling.
Instagram: @ladyofprovidence
Other musical highlights include a collaboration with Armondo ‘Sisco Kennedy’ Machado and composer Nick Belt on a single titled "Rainbow”. This single was released in 2019 on Kennedy’s compilation album "E.D.I.T" and distributed on iTunes. In 2017, Violeta collaborated with a group of artists to create The Pull Up PVD initiative and perform at the SXSW Conference and Festival. And in 2018, Violeta was part of The New World Wave Aboriginal Dance Group and performed with Joel “Chief Tureygua Taino Cay” Tapia Rosario at the Taino Areito Fashion Show and Cultural Celebration. In 2021, she performed with AfroCuban musician Evans Molina Fernández as part of the PVD World Music summer series, and collaborated with Leandro ‘Kufa’ Castro on the hit single “Vámonos” and its music video by Genao Films.
Violeta has a flourishing acting career. In 2018, she starred in two productions: the musical “La Lupe: Exito y Gloria” written and directed by Francis Parra (ECAS Theatre) and a web series titled “The Jungle” written by Dir. J Antonio. Most recently, Violeta co-stars as Ismene in the theatrical production of Antigonx (2022), written by Shey Rivera Ríos, directed by Jackie Davis, and produced by The Wilbury Theatre Group in Providence, RI. Violeta’s purpose is to live a thriving creative life by creating music and artistic experiences that allow her to uplift her community through music and storytelling.
Instagram: @ladyofprovidence
Marcel A. Mascaro
Marcel A. Mascaro*, Tiresias
Marcel Mascaro (they / them) is a non-binary theatrical artist located in Providence, a former Brown/Trinity Rep student, and a resident artist at The Wilbury Theatre Group, where their previous credits include The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Heart, The Red Bike, and Miss You Like Hell. Other theaters include; Every Brilliant Thing and Like Sheep to Water, or Fuente Ovejuna at Trinity Rep. Marcel has been involved with Teatro En Verano, a collaboration between Rhode Island Latino Arts and Trinity Rep, since its creation.
Marcel Mascaro (they / them) is a non-binary theatrical artist located in Providence, a former Brown/Trinity Rep student, and a resident artist at The Wilbury Theatre Group, where their previous credits include The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Heart, The Red Bike, and Miss You Like Hell. Other theaters include; Every Brilliant Thing and Like Sheep to Water, or Fuente Ovejuna at Trinity Rep. Marcel has been involved with Teatro En Verano, a collaboration between Rhode Island Latino Arts and Trinity Rep, since its creation.
Shaffany Terrell
Shaffany Terrell, Dancer / Choreographer
Shaffany Terrell (she / her) previous appeared with The Wilbury Group with performances of her pieces "Black Death" in Decameron, Providence and "5th Generational Black Woman" in the Luna Loba series. Other theaters include; Trinity Rep, A Christmas Carol (2021 & 2019); Rites and Reasons Theatre, Songs of a Caged Bird (Marva); Forman Theater at Brown University, 9 Roads (Dancer); Forman Theater at Rhode Island College, 9 Roads (Dancer); Pell Chafee Performance Center, A Furtive Movement (Nadege); Common House Productions, JOBE (Starr); PVDFest, Black Box; Paramount Theatre, Heurisko (Dancer); Central Square Theater, Black Nativity, (Mary) Film: Moral Docs Other: Shaffany majored in Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy College and Conservatory of Performing Arts in New York. She also wrote the shows Black Death and 5th Generational Black Woman. A native of the inter-cities of Boston MA and Providence RI. she has always felt her community was etched into her because they’re full of so much color and sound, so if you listen closely you can dance and sing to the pulse of it
Shaffany Terrell (she / her) previous appeared with The Wilbury Group with performances of her pieces "Black Death" in Decameron, Providence and "5th Generational Black Woman" in the Luna Loba series. Other theaters include; Trinity Rep, A Christmas Carol (2021 & 2019); Rites and Reasons Theatre, Songs of a Caged Bird (Marva); Forman Theater at Brown University, 9 Roads (Dancer); Forman Theater at Rhode Island College, 9 Roads (Dancer); Pell Chafee Performance Center, A Furtive Movement (Nadege); Common House Productions, JOBE (Starr); PVDFest, Black Box; Paramount Theatre, Heurisko (Dancer); Central Square Theater, Black Nativity, (Mary) Film: Moral Docs Other: Shaffany majored in Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy College and Conservatory of Performing Arts in New York. She also wrote the shows Black Death and 5th Generational Black Woman. A native of the inter-cities of Boston MA and Providence RI. she has always felt her community was etched into her because they’re full of so much color and sound, so if you listen closely you can dance and sing to the pulse of it
Emmy Varden*, Stage Manager
Emmy Varden's (she / her) previous work with the Wilbury Group includes stage management for The Historical Fantasy of Esek Hopkins, How I Learned To Drive; The Burn / More Weight, and the Servant of Two Masters. Work with other theaters includes One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (Spectrum Theatre Ensemble); Tripping Over Roots, Afiba and Her Daughters (Rites and Reason Theater); Enchanted April, The Savannah Disputation, Political Suicide (Nemasket River productions); Postmortem, Brighton Beach Memoires, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, 42nd St, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Grease, Legally Blonde, Tomfoolery (The Community Players).She has served as Stage Manager for several RPM Voices concerts, is a cast member on the Quest-On! Podcast, and is a member of the Red Fork Empire. She lives in Millbury, MA with her wife.
Emmy Varden's (she / her) previous work with the Wilbury Group includes stage management for The Historical Fantasy of Esek Hopkins, How I Learned To Drive; The Burn / More Weight, and the Servant of Two Masters. Work with other theaters includes One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (Spectrum Theatre Ensemble); Tripping Over Roots, Afiba and Her Daughters (Rites and Reason Theater); Enchanted April, The Savannah Disputation, Political Suicide (Nemasket River productions); Postmortem, Brighton Beach Memoires, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, 42nd St, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Grease, Legally Blonde, Tomfoolery (The Community Players).She has served as Stage Manager for several RPM Voices concerts, is a cast member on the Quest-On! Podcast, and is a member of the Red Fork Empire. She lives in Millbury, MA with her wife.
Hernán Jourdan, Assistant Stage Manager
Hernán Darío Jourdan (he / they) explores the wealth of hybrid identities, understanding ourselves as social agents that reproduce tendencies; individuals with the capacity to question them; and cosmic beings sensible to change. For his writing that travels across different geographies he’s been awarded one of the MacColl Johnson Fellowships for 2022. He’s currently organizing collective gatherings through the Ministry of Future Access. Know more at http://americano.site/
Hernán Darío Jourdan (he / they) explores the wealth of hybrid identities, understanding ourselves as social agents that reproduce tendencies; individuals with the capacity to question them; and cosmic beings sensible to change. For his writing that travels across different geographies he’s been awarded one of the MacColl Johnson Fellowships for 2022. He’s currently organizing collective gatherings through the Ministry of Future Access. Know more at http://americano.site/
Saul Ramos, Set / Props Design
Saul Ramos (he / him) is an educator and an interdisciplinary artist whose previous collaborations with the Wilbury Group include Fire Flowers and a Time Machine and Decameron, Providence. He is co-founder and artistic director of Arte Latino of New England (ALNE). Saul joins Shey Rivera to curate a sequence of performances by local artists reflecting on ritual, identity, home, and queerness. Facebook.com/ALNE
Saul Ramos (he / him) is an educator and an interdisciplinary artist whose previous collaborations with the Wilbury Group include Fire Flowers and a Time Machine and Decameron, Providence. He is co-founder and artistic director of Arte Latino of New England (ALNE). Saul joins Shey Rivera to curate a sequence of performances by local artists reflecting on ritual, identity, home, and queerness. Facebook.com/ALNE
Andy Russ, Sound & Light Design
Andy Russ' (he / him) previous work with the Wilbury Group includes production of his own work, The Floating World, and design work on Constellations (2019 + 2020), Fun Home (lights/sound), Red Bike (lights/sound), Hype Man: a break-beat play (lights/sound), How I Learned to Drive (lights/sound/projections), The Pirates of Penzance (lights/sound); The Skin of Our Teeth (lights), The Caretaker (lights/sound), Spring Awakening (lights), Mr. Burns (lights/sound), Betrayal (lights/sound), 10,000 Things (lights), Ui (oo-ey) (lights/sound) and Jerusalem (sound). Andy currently lives in Providence, RI, where,he is a Resident Artist at the Wilbury Theatre, Artistic Director of Passive Aggressive Novelty Company, Professor of Dance at Roger Williams University, Integrated Art & Music Teacher at the Wolf School, and Co-director of Motion State Arts.
Andy Russ' (he / him) previous work with the Wilbury Group includes production of his own work, The Floating World, and design work on Constellations (2019 + 2020), Fun Home (lights/sound), Red Bike (lights/sound), Hype Man: a break-beat play (lights/sound), How I Learned to Drive (lights/sound/projections), The Pirates of Penzance (lights/sound); The Skin of Our Teeth (lights), The Caretaker (lights/sound), Spring Awakening (lights), Mr. Burns (lights/sound), Betrayal (lights/sound), 10,000 Things (lights), Ui (oo-ey) (lights/sound) and Jerusalem (sound). Andy currently lives in Providence, RI, where,he is a Resident Artist at the Wilbury Theatre, Artistic Director of Passive Aggressive Novelty Company, Professor of Dance at Roger Williams University, Integrated Art & Music Teacher at the Wolf School, and Co-director of Motion State Arts.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT SHEY 'Rí ACU' RIVERA RÍOS
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHEY 'Rí ACU' RIVERA RÍOS
ABOUT
An award-winning*, not-for-profit professional theatre company, the Wilbury Theatre Group engages our community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. We are idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in our resolve to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires.
*WINNER of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards).
*WINNER of the 2018 National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing (The Tony Awards).
