The University of Maine School of Performing Arts presented a Reader’s Theatre production of the documentary play “Seven” as part of the Women’s History Celebration in the Minsky Recital Hall on March 27.
The Women’s History Celebration is an annual event on campus that features UMaine faculty members and students, community representatives and outside experts sharing in a variety of discussions and programs.
This year’s theme is, “Out of the Shadows: Gender, Identity, and History.” The event is sponsored by the Women in Curriculum/Women’s Studies program.
The Reader’s Theatre program offers dramatic readings of new, experimental, foreign language and classic theatrical productions. The plays are produced without sets or costumes to allow audience members to experience a diverse assortment of dramatic literature.
The play was directed by Tom Mikotowicz, UMaine theatre professor and chair of the division of Theatre and Dance in the School of Performing Arts.
“Seven” was written as a collaboration between seven award-winning playwrights: Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith and Susan Yankowitz. Each playwright wrote a portion of the play about one of seven female leaders from the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network.
Vital Voices is an international non-profit organization that works with women leaders on human rights issues around the world.
“As a theatre piece, it explores the plight of significant women throughout the world and the global politics that affected their personal lives,” Mikotowicz said in a UMaine news release, “Our production will serve as a starting point for a discussion of the issues pertinent to women and international politics.”
The play depicts the intersecting stories of these women, highlighting various themes, from domestic violence and poverty to human right’s issues and political corruption. All of the women overcame extreme hardship and incredible odds to work toward building a better future for women.
The play documents the work of Farida Azizi of Afghanistan, Mu Sochua of Cambodia, Anabella de Leon of Guatemala, Hafsat Abiola of Nigeria, Inez McCormack of Northern Ireland, Mukhtar Mai of Pakistan and Marina Pisklakova-Parker of Russia.
Since its 2008 premiere in New York City, the play has been presented in venues around the world.
At UMaine, the cast was comprised students Andrea West, Hannah Britton, Karol Cruz, Hannah Ruhlin, Shavya Samala, Huong Ly Nguyen and Shannon Brenner.
After the performance, UMaine assistant professor of history and women’s studies Mazie Hough facilitated a short Q-and-A session with the cast.
Upcoming theatre and dance events presented by the School of Performing Arts include a Maine Masque performance of “God of Carnage” from April 10-14 and the Spring Dance Showcase from May 2-4. Both events will be presented in the Hauck Auditorium.
For more information about these performances or to learn more about the UMaine School of Performing Arts, visit umaine.edu/spa or Facebook.com/umainespa.