Bacchae Before is a dance-theater performance inspired by Anne Carson’s translation of an ancient Greek tragedy by Euripides, Bakkhai, and contemporary tragedies of gender reveal parties. Written and co-directed by Maxe Crandall, co-directed and choreographed by Hope Mohr, with object animation by Mike Chin, Bacchae Before’s cast includes Maria Silk as Dionysos and Jessica, Wiley Naman Strasser as Pentheus and Lyle, and Karla Quintero and Belinda He as bacchantes.

Bacchae Before in Baltimore took place at the Merrick Barn the week of March 27th 2023. This residency included two live performances (March 30th and 31st), as well as “Open Process: responding to anti-trans legislation through art” (March 28th), a conversation with Mike Chin, Maxe Crandall, and Maria Silk, as well as a Talk Back following the closing performance that also included Hope Mohr, Wiley Naman Strasser, and Belinde He. Phoebe Oathhout moderated both conversations, drawing a thread between them. The following transcript has been edited for concision and clarity, while aiming to preserve individual voices and the dialogic nature of these conversations.

—Jennifer Stager