Upstate Theatre Presents Antigone

Antigone by Sophocles comes to the USC Upstate stage in a powerful mainstage theatre production adapted by Emily Mann and directed by USC Upstate senior Dee Slade.

This timeless Greek tragedy follows Antigone, a young woman determined to honor her dead brother despite the orders of King Creon. After a civil war leaves her brothers dead on opposite sides of the conflict, Creon declares that one brother will be buried with honor while the other must remain unburied as punishment for treason. Defying the king’s decree and guided by her sense of moral and religious duty, Antigone chooses to bury her brother, setting in motion a tragic clash between individual conscience and state authority.

As pride and stubbornness drive the conflict, Sophocles’ Antigone explores enduring themes of justice, loyalty, power, morality and the consequences of refusing to compromise.

This USC Upstate Theatre production marks a first for the program. Slade is the first student to direct a USC Upstate mainstage production as part of their Senior Seminar project. Their artistic leadership, dedication and directing proposal inspired the Theatre Department to create this new opportunity for a senior student to take on the responsibility of directing a mainstage production.

Slade is an exemplary student who has received numerous honors through the American College Theater Festival and brought significant recognition to USC Upstate through their work.

Join USC Upstate Theatre for this compelling production of Antigone, a classic Greek tragedy that continues to ask challenging questions about justice, power, loyalty and individual conscience.

Dates:

October 1-3, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.October 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

Performances will be held in the Main Stage Theatre of the Performing Arts Center

Ticket Prices:

General Admission – $11.50Child – $6.50 Faculty and Staff – $6.50 Student – $6.50

Community event in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC 29303.