Timucua Arts Foundation presents Classical Plays to Support PTSD Recovery

Ancient Greek Tragedy meets Modern Healing at Timucua!

Timucua Arts Foundation is partnering in the transformative work of The Hercules Project to deliver three moving performances during the month of June.

The Hercules Project is a Central Florida-based nonprofit serving veterans and first responders with non-traditional therapeutic approaches to well-being, coping, and community building through the arts and humanities.

Using the medium of ancient Greek tragedies, their dynamic upcoming Timucua performances will feature original, abridged translations including dance and live popular music, featuring original songs as well as selections from Led Zeppelin, Cream, the Kinks, The Band, Santana, The Stone Roses, Oasis, Howlin’ Wolfe, and The Reverend Gary Davis.

The Hercules Project first began with Sean Lake, a scholar of Classics and professor at Valencia College. Having long known that Greek tragedy was a form of cultural therapy of, for, and by veterans and an audience traumatized by war, Sean discussed the relevance of these works for modern-day veterans and first responders with a trusted colleague - a work that expanded to create college curriculum for these populations and eventually birthed a nonprofit dedicated to supporting them.

Now, rooted in the work of Veterans Affairs (VA) psychiatrist Jonathan Shay, The Hercules Project partners with psychologists, mental health counselors, and the Orlando VA to serve individuals and groups who have experienced trauma, using the power of ancient artforms to foster healing and transformation for modern-day heroes. 

Each performance features an introduction, a dramatized reading of a Greek tragedy, and a chorus with singing and dancing, and ends with a panel of veterans followed by an interactive audience discussion. Come support this great mission at the white house June 19th through 21st.

The Persians: Lost With a Single Stroke by Aeschylus (Friday, June 19th @7:30PM): Chronicling the story of the Battle of Salamis in 480 B.C., this tragedy unfolds through the lens of the ancient Iranians, who suffered a crushing defeat by the Athenians and their allies.

Ajax: Suffering That Needs the Knife by Sophocles (Saturday, June 20th @7:30PM): Witness the harrowing story of the suicide of the Trojan War hero, Ajax, a man betrayed by the leaders of the Greeks as well as his most trusted comrades.

Hercules Endurance Beyond All by Euripides (Sunday, June 21st @2:30PM): The namesake of Sean Lake’s project, this tragic story relates Hercules’ journey grappling with the traumatic effects of war as he returns home. Reckoning with fits of madness, a suicidal Hercules - consoled by his comrade Theseus - must learn to move forward after slaying his wife and children. 

With the 10th anniversary of the Orlando Pulse tragedy occurring in June, Timucua is also offering the following events to support our community’s continued healing in a safe space: 

Timucua Talks: CathARTic Healing Through Creation (Wednesday, June 3rd @7:30PM): Come for another engaging Timucua Talks roundtable discussion with local experts. June’s topic is PTSD, and our guest panel will discuss their experiences and how engaging with the arts helps them to cope with trauma and past events.

ICEBERG: Contemporary Art Music Project & Hub New Music (Friday, June 12th @12:00PM and 2:00PM): Begin your Friday at 12:00PM with Contemporary Art Music Project (CAMP), a collective of Tampa-based musicians and composers dedicated to collaborating with living composers and performing artists from around the world. Then, see Hub New Music at 2:00 PM, a “prime mover of piping hot 21st century repertoire” (Washington Post). 

Meditation for Peace with Puja (Wednesday, June 10th @7:30PM): This meditation is a monthly invitation toward inner stability and connectedness. With sessions blending ancient wisdom with modern mindfulness, each gathering begins with a thoughtful, interactive conversation about real-life experiences such as mental overload, emotional reactivity, sleep challenges, and compassion fatigue, followed by a guided meditation practice.

Authentic Selves Poetry Open Mic (Sunday, June 21st @7:30PM): Host of Timucua’s monthly poetry and open mic series, Lauren White, invites all to come and share from their hearts. Attendees are free to share works of art on Pulse Remembrance, and are also encouraged to present poetry on any topic they wish.

Visit Timucua Arts Foundations program schedule for a complete list of upcoming events. 

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