Professor Brian Kulick Releases New Book ‘How Greek Tragedy Works’

By
Robbie Armstrong
January 25, 2021
'How Greek Tragedy Works' book cover

Professor and Department Chair Brian Kulick recently released his new book How Greek Tragedy Works: A Guide For DirectorsHow Greek Tragedy Works is a journey through the hidden meanings and dual nature of Greek tragedy, drawing on its foremost dramatists to bring about a deeper understanding of how and why to engage with these enduring plays.

In his book, Kulick makes the classical texts of the ancient Greeks more accessible to readers, by equipping them with ways in which they can unpack the hidden meanings of these plays. The book focuses on three plays of the Greek theatre canon, Aeschylus' Agamemnon, Euripides' The Bacchae, and Sophocles' Electra. Kulick uses these key texts to tease out the core principles of the theatre-making and storytelling impulses. By encouraging readers to read between the lines like this, Kulick also enables readers to view these texts and other Greek tragedies as artists' manifestos. How Greek Tragedy Works provides a deeper understanding of tragedy itself along with the skill of understanding what the great Greek playwrights had to say about the nature of plays and drama.

Brian Kulick has been an Associate Artist at The Public Theatre where his work on Shakespeare has been seen at The Delacorte in Central Park. He was formerly the Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company where he directed such world premieres as Anne Carson’s critically acclaimed An Oresteia. Kulick has authored several other books including, The Elements of Theatrical Expression, and The Secret Life of Theatre: On The Nature And Function Of Theatrical Representation

How Greek Tragedy Works can be purchased here. His upcoming book Staging Shakespeare: A Director’s Guide To Preparing A Production, will be released later this year.