The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite

VCUarts Theatre was excited to present The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite from April 23rd to 26th,  2026. Wole Soyinka’s The Bacchae, we confront the unyielding scars of colonialism. Mr. Soyinka reimagines this classical myth through the lens of West African tradition and Yoruba culture, transforming the narrative into a revolutionary “Communion Rite.” Colonialism is a profound act of violence, and the journey toward peace demands a visceral, ritualistic sacrifice to wash away the past and allow a community to be fully reborn.

This production explored the intense energy required to silence the echo of colonialism, fostering an unflinching look at the cost of reclaiming a collective soul and the immediate necessity of disrupting an unjust status quo to achieve true healing. As we navigate this pursuit of liberation, we are guided by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr; “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

View “The Bacchae” playbill to see the full company.

Director: David Emerson Toney

Assistant Director: Shaun McCracken

Voice and Movement Director: Nicole Cowans

Movement Director: Stephanie “Tippi” Hart

Scenic Design: Chris Raintree

Costume Design: Melanie Garber

Lighting Design: TJ Washington

Sound Design/Original Composition: Merlin Frazier

Production Stage Manager: Elise Bailey