BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Theatre Company (VTC) presents “I, Joan,” by Charlie Josephine – a powerful imagining of the story of Joan of Arc as a genderqueer warrior stepping into their power and identity – full of vulnerability, humor, tragedy, dance battles, absurdity, faith, and revolutionary spirit.
“I, Joan,” originally created by playwright and actor Charlie Josephine, had its premier at London’s historic Globe Theatre. The play centers the familiar icon, Joan of Arc, a teenaged peasant, leader of the French army, and convicted heretic who refused to stop wearing men’s clothing. The historical figure, Joan la Pucelle, became a martyr, and later, a saint. “Her” story has been told many times since the 1400s by the men in power, with their specific cultural understandings of Joan’s actions and identity recorded as history. “I, Joan” explores the possibility of Joan as they might have seen their own identities, spiritualities, and connections, if they lived today.
“This production asks audiences to consider Joan’s experience, regardless of what was written down,” says co-assistant director Eli Coughlin-Galbraith in a news release. “Every time we retell a story, we bring it into the present. ‘I, Joan’ takes deliberate care to tell Joan’s story through the lens of our current language and understanding.”
Given the content of the historical events, this show contains themes of state and religious oppression, misogyny, economic oppression, and misgendering.
“As a story written and presented with care to center self-identified queer, working-class, trans, femme, and other identities who have experienced marginalization,” says co-assistant director Avery Thompson, “‘I, Joan’ takes a tragedy and adds a celebration, a revival, a glimmer of hope that through authenticity and with the power of the people, our history can be in our own hands.”
VTC’s production of “I, Joan” will engage audiences through multiple genres of artistic expression. Choral numbers are led by Max Bady-Kaye, and pulled from familiar local folk traditions. He has also composed a new melody for song lyrics provided in the script. There will be live drumming by Katie Steele interwoven into the story. Dance and movement has been choreographed by Mimi Fang. Tom Burrows serves as the martial arts advisor. The show also features puppets based on early illustrations of the inquisition of Joan of Arc, created by artist Shea Witzberger, and props created by Jesse Tidd.
Dante Heartwood, with assistance from Theo Heartwood, is creating costumes inspired by looks based on what one sees at a contemporary pride fest or protest or rally, as well as pulling from historical designs. Stage Manager Lucy Webb rounds out the production team to bring the whole vision to life.
“It was really important to me,” says director Jess Iris, “to bring together a massive crew of folx passionate about sharing a story that centers a queer and trans leading character. Theater is always political. It is often retelling familiar stories for today’s audience, but bringing out themes that are relevant or important right now. We have an incredible team of artists and performers who have worked very hard and poured a lot of love into this version of Joan’s story, because this story means so much to them personally.”
Iris chose to cast this production in a unique way. Specific key roles were cast with a lead and an understudy. You can catch the understudy-led performance on Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. During that performance, the leads will perform in the ensemble roles. The I, Joan cast includes: Saskia Bailey-de Bruijn (Joan); Fae Roberts (Joan understudy, dancer ensemble); Ryan Bartlett (Charles); Aaron Buchman (Charles understudy, soldier ensemble, Cauchon), Jesse Farrar (Thomas), Bex Slattery (Thomas understudy, man ensemble), Casey Parles (Dunios), Megan Grove (Marie, dancer ensemble); Kaci Viado (Marie understudy, dancer ensemble, Touraine); Dyana Lee (Yolande, dancer ensemble); Apple Sullivan (Yolande understudy, dancer ensemble); Timothy Guarente (Man 1, English soldier); Liz Bergstrom (man); Alex Lacey (man, English soldier); Max Bady-Kaye (soldier); Izzy Snyder (soldier, English soldier, Manchon); Mimi Fang (soldier, Loyseleur); Erica Daniels (dancer); Tracy Berchi (dancer, Courcelles); Eden Gorst (dancer, Delafontaine); Tobi Buchman (dancer, girl); Nina Bond (dancer, Gris); Nell Mayo (soldier ensemble, Bishop, Beaupere); and Olivia McNeely (clerk).
Performances will be at Epsilon Spires on Main Street on Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m.; and the following weekend: Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 29, at 2 p.m.
Tickets are offered on a sliding scale from $10-$30, though no person will be turned away for lack of funds. “We have plenty of seats,” says VTC Secretary and volunteer box office manager, Dawn Grobe. “I’ll make sure you get in.”
Tickets can be purchased on the Vermont Theatre Company website at vermonttheatrecompany.org/events or at the door the evening of the show.
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