Quite seriously, we ran out of words to convey just how excited we are about this summer’s blockbuster program–and we want you to be a part of it, beloved patrons!
Join in the Oral Tradition of Homer’s The Iliad at the Peabody Institute Library
The Peabody Institute Library is seeking reader/performers for The Iliad: An Epic Reading Event, a marathon tandem reading of the complete text of The Iliad. The event will take place outdoors in Peabody’s East End Veterans’ Memorial Park on June 18th beginning at 9 a.m. and finishing around 1 a.m. Each reader will be given a section of The Iliad to read (10-20 pages) and will be asked to attend a few short rehearsals at the Peabody Institute Library between April 21 – June 18.
Deeply rooted in the oral tradition, before it was ever transcribed, The Iliad was first a story passed down from generation to generation by bards, or poet storytellers. With this production, the library hopes to capture the spirit of that tradition with the help of the community.
No acting experience is necessary to participate in this event (though actors are welcome); an interest in the Classics, a comfort with reading aloud, and a passion for storytelling are the only requirements.
The Library will be holding interest days on April 16th from 12-4 and April 17th from 2:00-4:30; you may register via the library’s online events calendar or by calling 978-531-0100 ext. 10. Drop-ins are also welcome. Feel free to come with a short story to tell or something brief to read (1-2 minutes of material). If you are unable to attend the interest days but are still interested in participating, or if you have any questions at all, please e-mail director Liz Carlson (elizcarlson@gmail.com).
East End Veterans Memorial Park is located on Walnut Street in Peabody, MA. In the event of rain, the program will be held at the Peabody Institute Library, located at 82 Main Street in Peabody.
“The Iliad: An Epic Reading Event” is generously funded by the M. Theodore Karger Fund; the Peabody Institute Library Foundation; the Friends of the Peabody Institute Libraries; and is supported in part by a grant from the Peabody Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.