SDSU’s “Sophocles’ Elektra” looks at Greek tragedy through the lens of influencer culture

At San Diego State University, a play first written thousands of years ago is being rediscovered for a modern audience. “Sophocles’ Elektra,” translated and adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker and directed by Jesca Prudencio, runs this April on the Prebys Stage, transforming an ancient Greek tragedy into a story that feels current. 

This production of the ancient Greek tragedy transforms into a contemporary story that explores concepts of influencer culture, social media and public judgment.   

“Even though ‘Elektra’ was written in the 400s BC, I set it in 2026 because it feels so contemporary,” Prudencio said. “My story of ‘Elektra’ is someone who is a woman who's been censored her whole life, has been told to be quiet and that she's too much. And so now in this production, we are seeing Elektra finally feel all those feelings.” 

Prudencio is a renowned director, choreographer and professor at SDSU, dedicated to developing theatrical works that explore the tension and bridges between cultures. She is known for focusing on new plays, musicals, and dance theater nationally and internationally, with her signature blend of playful physicality, bold visuals, and emotional depth.

“What's amazing is that while I've been a professor in these almost eight years at SDSU, my professional career has grown exponentially. So every time I direct professionally, I bring those new experiences and expectations of my students to better prepare them for professional work after they leave SDSU,” Prudencio said. 

In the upcoming version, Elektra is a former influencer navigating her father's death in a world that tries to control her grief. She is supported by a glam squad that stands in for a modern Greek chorus. 

“They’re advising her to get up, to move on, to stop wallowing in her sadness,” Prudencio said. “And they’re actually trying to glam her up the whole show.”

Elektra resists the pressures of the outside world. 

“She’s finally embracing her true self and allowing herself to be messy,” Prudencio said.

The discovery of balance within appearance and authenticity is what makes the story feel especially relevant now.

Finding connection through the production process 

For Daylene Yousef, a second-year political science major and theatre arts minor who plays Elektra, the connection to her character came naturally.

“My first reaction to the character Elektra was compassion and sympathy for her distress. I felt immediately connected to her,” Yousef said.

Yousef said she saw parts of herself in the character’s experience of being overlooked.

“As a second daughter myself, like Elektra, I understood her feeling of being silenced and put aside,” she said. “People think she is the crazy one, when instead, she’s just been failed by the system and everyone around her.”

Prudencio explained the ideas she wanted to explore in the production, “And the issue of how a woman should behave in society is something that I'm very passionate about.” 

Yousef and Prudencio further highlighted the play’s emphasis on the relevance of emotional expression for women.  

“She is a woman who has been groomed her whole life to suppress her emotions, be silent, and accept pain with grace… not so different at all from women now,” Yousef said.

Prudencio explained the importance of embracing emotion rather than avoiding it.

“Our emotions are superpowers,” Prudencio said. “We just have to figure out what we want to do with them. So that is something that I personally feel in my life. And I wanted to explore that with this production. And I'm finding that my whole company, between the actors and the designers, everyone is finding themselves in this story in some aspect.” 

In rehearsals, the production has taken on a tone that feels closer to present-day storytelling than traditional Greek drama.

“It’s amazing directing this show in 2026 with actors who are all new to Greek tragedy,” Prudencio said. “People are screaming and throwing things and laughing and gossiping. It feels so modern. So I was really surprised by that. We're really embracing it. Even though it's a Greek tragedy, people are gonna feel like it's a story that could be told today.” 

For Yousef, making Elektra feel relatable to students was all in her character approach.  

“Adding sarcasm to the line delivery was so important to me; with young adults now, anger is very often portrayed through sarcastic tendencies,” Yousef said. 

Prudencio explained that she had been working on the show's concept for a year and how it had unfolded. 

“I felt really prepared and excited to share it with this company. And I think it just became more epic. It just got bigger and more intense,” Prudencio said.

The production, now set in modern times, retains its original character.

“If someone comes in not knowing anything about Greek tragedy, I hope they walk away with the understanding that suppressing your own, or another’s, emotions will only end up in destruction,” Yousef said.

Performances run April 8 - 19, 2026, on the Prebys Stage at SDSU with tickets ranging from $17 to $20, available at the online box office.