Antigone

This production of Antigone reimagines Sophocles’ tragedy through the lens of Korean shamanistic ritual, exploring defiance against societal constraints and the reclamation of humanity. By merging the spiritual and emotional depth of the Korean gutt (shamanic ritual) with the classical Greek narrative, our team sought to create a universal language of mourning, one that bridges cultural histories and speaks to the collective act of remembrance in a fractured world.

We emphasized the ritualistic dimension of the play: how human suffering and spiritual redemption could coexist within the same space. Gutt ritual is a metaphor for Antigone’s and Kreon’s deaths, representing purification, transition, and release. From the start I was guided by the theme of “the something in between,” referring to Antigone’s state of existing between law and conscience, life and death, rebellion and sacrifice.

To achieve this, the costumes need to feel cohesive as a unified world while embodying universal qualities suitable for a Greek tragedy, influenced by Korean culture, and resonating with the cast here in Chicago. The design approach creates a layered, metaphorical landscape by blending traditional Korean aesthetics with contemporary Western silhouettes. Color plays a significant role, drawing inspiration from multiple theories: the color code system of the Joseon dynasty, which defined specific tones for royalty; the five traditional colors (obangsaek) rooted in East Asian culture; and shamanistic meanings, such as green on Antigone symbolizing impending misfortune. Through Jogakbo patchwork as a key storytelling element for the chorus, the costume design also reflects the integration of diverse cultural influences into the production.