Ajax in Iraq

Ajax in Iraq by Ellen McLaughlin

(2)
Productions (35)
Drama
|
70 - 90 minutes
7 W, 5 M,  (11-30 actors possible: 6-17 W, 5-19 M)
Content Notes: Adult language and content.

Past and present collide in Ellen McLaughlin’s mash-up of Sophocles’ classic tragedy Ajax with the modern-day Iraq war. The play follows the parallel narratives of Ajax, an ancient Greek military hero, and A.J., a female American soldier serving in Iraq. Both are models of valor in combat, and both pay a price for their valor as they struggle within themselves. Inspired by material collected from interviews with Iraq war veterans and their families, AJAX IN IRAQ explores the timeless struggle soldiers face in trying to make sense of war.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Past and present collide in Ellen McLaughlin’s mash-up of Sophocles’ classic tragedy Ajax with the modern-day Iraq war. The play follows the parallel narratives of Ajax, an ancient Greek military hero, and A.J., a female American soldier serving in Iraq. Both are models of valor in combat, and both pay a price for their valor as they struggle within themselves. Inspired by material collected from interviews with Iraq war veterans and their families, AJAX IN IRAQ explores the timeless struggle soldiers face in trying to make sense of war.

An updated version of this play is available; contact Playscripts for details.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 70 - 90 minutes
  • 7 W, 5 M,  (11-30 actors possible: 6-17 W, 5-19 M)
  • Content Notes: Adult language and content.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-134-8

Published Reviews

"Ms. McLaughlin has carved out a career as a playwright of fierce moral conviction."

Anita Gates, The New York Times

"Ellen's tough-minded, lyrically charged dramas have tackled subjects of great relevance with astonishing invention."

Randy Gener, American Theater Magazine, TCG, Senior Editor

Production History

JUN 06, 2025 - JUN 14, 2025
The Orpheus Theatre Company
Lancaster, PA United States
The Orpheus Theatre CompanyLancaster, PA United States
MAR 08, 2022 - APR 26, 2022
Georgetown High School Theatre
Georgetown, TX United States
Georgetown High School TheatreGeorgetown, TX United States
NOV 09, 2021 - NOV 13, 2021
Stephen F Austin State University - School of Theatre
Nacogdoches, TX United States
Stephen F Austin State University - School of TheatreNacogdoches, TX United States
APR 15, 2021 - APR 17, 2021
Yale University
New Haven, CT United States
Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT United States
OCT 15, 2019 - OCT 15, 2019
The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts
Washington, DC United States
The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic ArtsWashington, DC United States
SEP 05, 2018 - SEP 05, 2018
ORiGiN Theatrical (Knock and Run Theatre)
Hamilton, NSW Australia
ORiGiN Theatrical (Knock and Run Theatre)Hamilton, NSW Australia
DEC 13, 2017 - DEC 19, 2017
Uxbridge Secondary School
Uxbridge, ON Canada
Uxbridge Secondary SchoolUxbridge, ON Canada
NOV 09, 2017 - NOV 11, 2017
The Lee Strasberg Theatre And Film Institute
New York, NY United States
The Lee Strasberg Theatre And Film InstituteNew York, NY United States
OCT 04, 2017 - OCT 09, 2017
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY United States
Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY United States
MAR 21, 2017 - APR 21, 2017
Foster High School Theater
Richmond, TX United States
Foster High School TheaterRichmond, TX United States
1 of 4
JUN 06, 2025 - JUN 14, 2025
The Orpheus Theatre Company
Lancaster, PA United States
The Orpheus Theatre CompanyLancaster, PA United States
JUL 15, 2016 - AUG 15, 2016
Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble
Los Angeles, CA United States
Not Man Apart Physical Theatre EnsembleLos Angeles, CA United States
MAY 08, 2014 - JUN 01, 2014
Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble
Santa Monica, CA United States
Not Man Apart Physical Theatre EnsembleSanta Monica, CA United States
NOV 03, 2011 - NOV 27, 2011
Frank Theatre
Minneapolis, MN United States
Frank TheatreMinneapolis, MN United States
JUN 03, 2011 - JUN 25, 2011
Flux Theatre Ensemble
Astoria, NY United States
Flux Theatre EnsembleAstoria, NY United States

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com