The Solstice King
Adapted by Petrona Xemi Tapepechul
Adapted from Oedipus the King by Sophocles
Directed by Veronica Gomez Giraldo & Petrona Xemi Tapepechul
As Tiutećan plunges into darkness on the longest night of the year, the people’s only hope lies in their king, who fights to escape a prophecy of destruction. This adaptation of Oedipus the King, set during the winter solstice, captures the city’s search for light and its lost ancestral language, Nawat. The Elders gather to call upon the gods, seeking renewal for their people as they perform solstice rituals filled with myth and hope.
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Through ritualistic dances, English and Nawat dialogue, and the potent symbolism of the solstice, The Solstice King brings to life a community’s fight for cultural survival, asking whether the Solstice King's fate is sealed or if the return of light can bring salvation.
This production is partially sponsored by the DC Commissions of Arts & Humanities through their Arts & Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP). Additional sponsorship by The Festival Center, Trans-Latinx DMV, and 360 Healthx Crop.