Nefertiti 18th Dynasty: The Musical
Play’s Synopsis
Queen Nefertiti ruled alongside her husband, Akhenaten, during the Amarna Period, promoting the new religion of Aten. Akhenaten abandoned his loyalty to Amon, establishing the worship of Aten and banning Amon worship. Nefertiti initially supported these changes but later disappeared from records. After her third daughter's death, she rejected Akhenaten’s beliefs and conspired with Amon priests.
Twelve years into the Amarna Period, Nefertiti died from a mysterious illness after falling out of favor with Akhenaten.
Meet the Playwright
Janet Irene Thomas is a modern-day renaissance woman. As a playwright, she has written, produced, and directed numerous stage productions across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Janet is also a published fiction writer, avid blogger, gospel lyricist, and screenwriter, writing professionally since 1994.
Her works include the romance novel "Prisoners of Passion" (1995) and eight stage productions.
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen Writer/Published Author
Gospel Lyricist/Director/Blogger
Principal Cast
King Amonhotep III
King Amenhotep IV-Akhnaten
Queen Nefertiti
Queen Tiye
Glimpse of the Stage Set
Schedule
Coming to a local Washington, DC theatre
February 2025
FAQS
FAQS
Q:
Did Nefertiti have other names?
Yes, these are some of the other names Nefertiti had:
Neferneferuaten - Beautiful is the beauty of Aten)
Hereditary Princess
Great of Praises
Lady of Grace
Sweet of Love
Lady of The Two Lands
Main King’s Wife, his beloved
Great King’s Wife, his beloved
Lady of All Women
Mistress of Upper & Lower Egypt
Q:
Who was Queen Nefertiti?
She was an African queen of the 18th Dynasty o (c. 1370 – c. 1330 BC) of Ancient Egypt and the great royal wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten.
When was Nefertiti born?
Q:
Almost nothing is known about Nefertiti’s life before her marriage to Akhenaten. However, it is known that she was raised at the court of Thebes. Scenes from the tombs of the nobles in Amarna mention that Nefertiti had a sister, named Mutbenret.
FAQs
FAQs
Q:
When did Nefertiti reign?
She reigned from c. 1334 to 1332 BC.
Q:
When did Nefertiti marry Amenhotep IV?
The exact dates when Nefertiti married Akhenaten and became the king’s great royal wife are uncertain. She was 15, and perhaps during the early years in Thebes, when Akhenaten (still known as Amenhotep IV) had several temples erected at Karnak. One of the structures, the Mansion of the Benben, was dedicated to Nefertiti.
Q:
How many children did Nefertiti have?
She had six daughters. They were Meritaten, Meketaten, Ankhesenpaaten (later called Ankhesenamun when she married Tutankhamun), Neferneferuaten, Tasherit, Neferneferure, and Setepenre.
What religion did Nefertiti practice while on the throne?
Q:
Polytheistic. Like all ancient Egyptians, she worshiped many gods until either the fifth or ninth year of her husband’s kingdom reign.
FAQs
FAQs
Q:
Where is Nefertiti’s tomb?
Her tomb has never been found.
Q:
What was the illness that killed Nefertiti?
Nefertiti’s illness and death remain a mystery. She merely vanished with no explanation. It has been speculated that there was an injury, or possibly a plague that was sweeping through the city, and finally a natural cause.
Q:
Scholars believe the answer to be yes. Nefertiti had a role promoted from that of Great Royal Wife and was promoted to co-regent by her husband Pharaoh Akhenaten before his death.
Did Nefertiti ever reign as a Pharoah?