This summer, one of the first bits of research I tackled for An Iliad was reading the entire text of Homer’s epic poem. One of the most palpable impressions I was left with was the presence and power of silence throughout. It is everywhere, and it is powerful.

At a certain point, I remember deciding to keep track of every time it was referenced… I can’t explain why, it just always struck me as important, the silence. And I also remember wondering what role (if any) that silence would play in the creation of this piece. I got my answer in the first read through, and further confirmation in rehearsals this week. Silence is a character in An Iliad. And she is versatile. Silence transitions from one beat to the next, silence allows for open space, silence asks us to think, to consider, to answer. I am constantly delighted to see silence appear, only to become consumed by sound, speech or music, and then reappear later in a different form, serving a different function. She always surprises me…

Posted by Garrett Ayers, Directing Intern at McCarter Theatre. 

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