NW Classical Theatre and Coffee Creek Theatre present ‘Elektra’ to public audiences

It's not the first time that the Northwest Classical Theatre Collaborative has performed at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison. But the November performances of the Greek tragedy “Elektra” does mark the first time that the play has been selected and performed by the women in custody themselves. Patrick Walsh is the executive artistic director of the Northwest Classical Theatre Collaborative. He and production manager Lyndsay Hogland co-facilitated the theatre project, which began in March. After the women signed up for the theatre program, they were given four classic plays to consider: “Elektra,” “Three Sisters,” “Our Town”  and “Measure for Measure.” After reading and discussing all the plays over many weeks, the women finally chose “Elektra” and began rehearsals in May. The show opened on Friday, Nov. 14, with one other public performance on Nov. 21, as well as two separate shows for the women in custody. We’re joined by Walsh and Hogland to learn more about the impact of the program and performances, along with two of the actors at Coffee Creek: Nistasha Tate plays Elektra, and Fahlynn Nix is the assistant stage manager and also plays the part of Aegisthus.

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