Tucked away in the top left corner of Buffalo State’s campus, in a cool basement, sits a large grey wall on an empty stage.

Slowly the calm in this room breaks as students will fill in with purpose.

The silence is occasionally interrupted by short conversations and vocal warm-ups set against the backdrop of this massive grey monolith.

The energy in the room shifts as Professor Jennifer Toohey comes in and gives directions.

Buffalo State’s Casting Hall will perform Antigone from Nov. 6-10 at the Warren Enters Theater in the campuses Upton Hall.

On Nov. 9 doors will open at 7 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. performance, while the Nov. 10 doors open at 12:30 for the 1 p.m. show.

Tickets for children are $6 while adults are $12. Students, faculty, alumni, and senior citizens are $9.

Antigone is an ancient Greek story about a young woman fighting against the societal structure of her time. Anne Gerace plays the titular Antigone and believes that every era deserves its version of the story.

“Antigone is an important story to be retold, there’s a reason why it’s survived as long as it’s had,” Gerace said.

First-time actor Brian Parker, who plays the main antagonist King Creon, also shares this deep level of respect for the story.

“In terms of the historical meaning it holds weight throughout the centuries being relevant throughout the period,” Parker said.

The beating heart of the show is the director Jennifer Toohey. The actors all have a deep respect for her and appreciate the work that she puts into the show. Described as a firm soft hand it’s easy to see the respect the actors have towards her.

“I love working with Jenn, not only is she a good director she’s just a really fun person to be around,” Gerace said.

During rehearsal Toohey walks the actor through the scenes from many perspectives. She breaks down the performance through the emotions of the characters.

Advising on movements relating the character to the person playing the role, Toohey will go over the scene with different emotions.

The stage is a colossal dull wall with corners that impose over the actors, no decoration aside from some chairs.

The casting house will be putting on Jean Anouilh’s interpretation of Antigone for this performance, as reported by Professor Toohey.

“We’re learning about a director named Jamie Lloyd who is hot right now… his company does classic plays in a stripped down manner with no sets and no props,” Toohey said.

All of the cast seems to have a deep respect and admiration for the source material. An understanding of the time is needed as the actors cannot rely on set design and props to give a sense of the time.

This background information is provided to the actors by a designated member of the crew.

“There’s a lot of research we have a dramaturg… they’re the expert on the period and the playwright,” Toohey said.

Casting Hall has put many hours of work into this play, making it a unique experience for the viewer.

The actors’ respect for the play and the director shines through during their performance.

Antigone may be a flawed hero, but in these times, any hero will do.