The Trojans
Book & Music by Leegrid Stevens
Directed by Eric Paul Vitale
The Trojans is a synthwave musical that captures the cultural resonance of Rent and the rebellious spirit of Spring Awakening, reframed for our modern times. Like these groundbreaking musicals, The Trojans speaks to the struggles of a generation, tapping into the pulse of today’s world while evoking a universal longing for identity, purpose, and connection. Exploring concepts of financial insecurity, creative resilience, and the battle between youthful dreams and adult realities, The Trojans feels both timely and timeless, mirroring today’s struggles with labor exploitation and economic uncertainty.
Set in the shadow of a corporate warehouse, reminiscent of today’s labor giants like Amazon, the story delves into the financial realities faced by workers who take these grueling jobs to stay afloat. For Heather and her coworkers, the warehouse becomes both a prison and a stage—a place where youthful dreams and artistic aspirations clash with the harsh demands of adulthood. At its heart, The Trojans draws inspiration from The Iliad, layering a story within a story, as the warehouse workers reenact their own high school rivalries and conflicts through the lens of 80’s films and ancient epic tales. The timeless lessons of love, loyalty, and war resonate deeply as the workers confront not only each other but the systems that hold them back. Embracing a gender-fluid casting, the characters transcend traditional roles within the nuclear story, amplifying the musical’s exploration of identity, offering a modern lens on questions of self-expression, belonging, and authenticity.
With a powerful soundtrack of vintage analog synthesizers and neon-drenched nostalgia, The Trojans’ emotionally charged narrative is poised to resonate with audiences navigating their own dreams and realities against an era defined by fiscal ambiguity and overly consumed short form media. It’s not just a musical—it’s a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever dared to dream beyond their circumstances. A reflection of the human spirit’s fight to create, connect, and persevere.
Workshop #4
LOADING DOCK THEATRE – Nov 15 – 17, 2024
Workshop #3
LOADING DOCK THEATRE – May 18-19, 2024
Development History:
HOTEL NEW WORK | Open Studio for Live Arts – February 2015
Hotel New Work allows two companies the chance to open the doors of their rehearsals and invite spectators into the creative process. Theaterlab provides these companies with one week “mini-residencies” to develop a work early in its conception. During the first six days of the residency, the companies receive rehearsal space in Theaterlab’s beautiful white box studios in Midtown Manhattan. On Sunday, Theaterlab will open its doors and guide audiences through the space to view two iterations of both works in progress. Spectators are encouraged to engage in creative conversations, focusing on exploring possibilities for the work’s future. Hotel New Work culminates with a reception and continued creative dialogue.
WORKSHOP THEATER | 8-week writer intensive – Fall 2018
A weekly writer’s group that runs for 8 weeks, with 2 writers, sponsored by Workshop Theater. Each weekly session lasted two hours, with a pair of writers presenting for one hour (including discussion). There were two moderators/facilitators/dramaturges to run the intensive.
LOADING DOCK THEATRE | Workshop #1 – Nov 2022
A semi-staged workshop in the Loading Dock Space.
LOADING DOCK THEATRE | Workshop #2 – Sept 2023
A second semi-staged workshop in the Loading Dock Space