An international experimental theatre production that transposes an ancient tragedy into the context of modern wartime and transforms it into a powerful statement about resilience, memory, and the power of the human voice.
Premiere: Friday, May 8 2026 11:30 EST / 18:30 Kyiv Time
Design by Lesia Radchenko
Our story begins in 1974...
with the premiere of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club's legendary adaptation of Euripides' "The Trojan Women." The show was an internationally acclaimed, groundbreaking production seen in over 30 countries over the span of forty years. Created from a collage of ancient and indigenous languages, including Greek, Nahuatl, Latin, and Navajo, "The Trojan Women" is performed in an unrecognizable, evocative language where the experience of war is translated through sound, rhythm, music, and gesture. (Click here to listen for yourself!)
50 years later, Ukrainian artists began to learn the material...
Starting in November 2025, NASHi Experimental Theatre Club and members of La MaMa's "The Trojan Women Project" ran a series of workshops over Zoom to teach the music from the original production to actors and musicians in Kyiv, Ukraine. From the very beginning, this project was not just about creating a performance; it was about creating a community.
Quote from the participants' feedback:
I was crying during one of the songs. It was as if a tribe had gathered by the water and was singing, and I was overcome by memories of life before the war, of safety, of a life where people simply live, rather than just survive.
In March 2026, we assembled a cast and crew of young Ukrainian artists to develop a specifically Ukrainian adaptation because we believe our people have a special story to tell. Whereas the original production reflected the tragedy of Euripides' play, "The Trojan Women: Ukraine Edition" will reflect Ukrainians' resilience, resistance, and unbreakable spirit.
Why We Need Your Help!
The next stage of this project is to premiere a full-scale production.
$5,000 will go towards renting our venue and technical equipment (including lighting and sound)
$1,840 will go towards building our set and props
$1,830 will go towards constructing costumes for our ensemble & musicians (19 people!)
and the other $1,330 will go towards everything promotional, including photography and videography of teasers, trailers, and backstage content, printing posters and flyers, et al!
Your donation is an investment in the next generation of Ukrainian artists and amplifies their voices so that the world can better understand the Ukrainian fight for freedom.
What happens if we exceed our $10,000 request?!
Every dollar over $10,000 goes directly into financing more performances in Kyiv this summer and a tour through Ukraine through Fall '26 and Spring '27.
If we manage to make significantly more than $10K, we might even be able to start planning an international tour where we can show you the performance IN PERSON!
with the support of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club
More about NASHi and The Trojan Women Project
NASHi Experimental Theatre Club is a Ukrainian independent cultural NGO founded in 2023 in response to the full-scale war. Our mission is to support independent theatre-making, develop emerging artists, and strengthen cultural dialogue between Ukraine and the world. We work at the intersection of experimental performance, non-formal arts education, and international collaboration.
In 2025, NASHi expanded its educational and curatorial activities, including “NASHi.Archive 02: A.M./A.M – The Articulated Man” (screening and discussion with the artist), the lecture series “NASHi.DiY 04: Theatre and Money” on theatre funding in Ukraine, and the practical course “NASHi.DiY Special: Body on Stage”.
Through our programmes, NASHi creates safe, meaningful formats for public dialogue and community connection, while strengthening our capacity for long-term international partnerships and co-productions.
The Trojan Women Project It started with some questions….
What would it be like to teach the 1974 La MaMa production of Trojan Women, directed by Andrei Serban, composed by Elizabeth Swados, and produced by Ellen Stewart, to people in places of recent or sustained conflict?
Would the themes of Euripides’ 2500-year-old play - war, displacement, violence against women and children, and genocide - resonate in these places?
Would the language of the La MaMa production, made up of ancient languages and pure sound, with no literal meaning, invite a new generation of theater-makers to find their own place for their own stories?
We found that the answer to these questions was yes.
In 2014, two members of the original company, Onni Johnson and Bill Ruyle, and two members of the 1996 revival, Kim Ima and George Drance, went to Guatemala to begin their work. Working first with artists and community members throughout the country of Guatemala, "The Trojan Women Project" developed a multi-phased format of exchange that incorporated workshops, rehearsals, performance, and dialogue.
Their team grew to include musician Sara Galassini, another member of the Great Jones Rep, and Maud Dinand, their Project Development Director. The project continued, adding partnerships in Cambodia and Kosovo. In all three countries, the original La MaMa piece evolved to include story, music, and movement of the participants.
Rewards
Pay What You Can!
Donate $1.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Remember, every dollar is a punch in Putin's face!
Get a custom link for the livestream orpersonal video link of the premiereon May 8th, 2028!
Access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content
One of the Chorus
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
You get all the above, as well as...
Personal acknowledgement in our "The Trojan Women Project: Ukraine Edition" program
One of Kassandra's Visionaries
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Much like the prophetess, you too can divine the future before everyone else...
You get all the above, as well as...
A personal shout-out on NASHi's social media!
A Part of Hekava's Court
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount over $30.00 is tax-deductible.
The last queen of Troy was a powerful defender of her family and traditions. You too are helping Ukrainians protect theirs.
You get all the above, as well as...
A "NASHi.etc" tee or tote bag (you pick!)
Brave like Andromache (and Ukraine)
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount over $50.00 is tax-deductible.
'Andromache' in Greek means "courage," and at this tier, you show that you too share her titular feature.
You get all the above, as well as...
A limited-edition “Trojan Women” long-sleeve
Amongst the Gods
Donate $500.00 or more
Amount over $55.00 is tax-deductible.
Poseidon and Athena had a stake in the result of the Trojan War, much like you have a serious stake in our success!
You get all the above, as well as....
A "Trojan Women" poster, signed by the cast and crew
A personalized thank-you card from us all!
An Offical Producer of "The Trojan Women: Ukraine Edition"
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount over $55.00 is tax-deductible.
You get all the above, as well as....
A champagne toast with the cast and crew after the May 8 premiere (if in Kyiv, Ukraine)
Featured as a “NASHi Producer" in the program acknowledgements
