Aspen Ideas: The Poisoned Well Drama and Dialogue in a Time of Crisis $75

The Just Society

The Poisoned Well: Drama and Dialogue in a Time of Crisis
Acclaimed actors from film and television, along with scientists, journalists, doctors and elected officials, perform a dramatic reading of scenes from Henrik Ibsen’s 1882 play An Enemy of the People. In keeping with Aspen Institute tradition, revisiting this classic drama helps frame powerful, guided audience discussions aimed at generating connection, understanding, compassion, and positive action. The play tells the story of a doctor who discovers the water supply in his small, rural town has been poisoned by a tannery. Despite his efforts to convey the truth to the public, the doctor fails to save his community from environmental disaster and is ultimately scapegoated for his whistleblowing. An Enemy of the People was first performed in Norway in 1882, and yet it speaks to the present moment as if it were written for our time. This Theater of War production is adapted, directed and facilitated by Bryan Doerries. TOW presents community-specific, theater-based projects that address pressing public health and social issues. (Complimentary bar is available)

Bill Irwin as Dr. Thomas Stockmann

Tate Donovan as Mayor Peter Stockmann

Chad Coleman as Hovstad

Josh Hamilton as Aslaksen

Sam Sanders as Billing

Marjolaine Goldsmith as Petra Stockmann

Citizenry: Teddy Abrams, Alex Azar, Christine Brennan, Jonathan Capehart, Elizabeth Cohen, Perri Peltz, Shira Stutman, Laurie Tisch, Fidel Vargas and others